Senior Research Associate, LNP Formulation & Characterization

Pivotal; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity and benefits

Growth opportunities

Fast-paced collaborative environment

Job summary

Pivotal in San Diego is seeking a Senior Research Associate to perform analytical characterization of LNP formulations and support formulation activities in a fast-moving gene therapy program. This hands-on, lab-based role focuses on DLS, NTA, NanoFCM, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency, with data-driven decisions and collaboration across teams.

The candidate will generate high-quality data, maintain notebooks, and contribute to SOPs while advancing LNP workflows and downstream

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Ph.D. candidates with relevant experience encouraged; title and salary commensurate with experience.
• 3–5+ years of hands-on formulation/analytical characterization experience in pharma/biopharma, focusing on lipid nanoparticles.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical characterization of LNP formulations (DLS, NTA, zeta potential).
• Measure encapsulation efficiency (RiboGreen/PicoGreen).
• Characterize particle concentration and NanoFCM phenotyping.
• Operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot NanoFCM instrumentation.
• Support LNP formulation activities using microfluidic mixers (NanoAssemblr).
• Prepare lipid stock, optimize formulation parameters, run small-scale screens.
• Cryo-TEM sample prep, HPLC-based lipid/RNA quantitation, gel electrophoresis, UV/Vis spectroscopy.

Skills

LNP characterization

DLS

NTA

NanoFCM

Encapsulation efficiency

Microfluidic mixing

Cryo-TEM

HPLC

Gel electrophoresis

UV/Vis spectrophotometry

Data analysis

SOPs & QC

Instrumentation maintenance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry/Pharmaceutics/Biochem/BME/Chemical Engineering

Ph.D. candidates considered with relevant experience

Tools

NanoFCM

DLS

NTA

Cryo-TEM

HPLC

RiboGreen/PicoGreen

NanoAssemblr

Job description

Pivotal in San Diego is seeking a Senior Research Associate to perform analytical characterization of LNP formulations and support formulation activities in a fast-moving gene therapy program. This hands-on, lab-based role focuses on DLS, NTA, NanoFCM, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency, with data-driven decisions and collaboration across teams.

The candidate will generate high-quality data, maintain notebooks, and contribute to SOPs while advancing LNP workflows and downstream