Senior Research Associate, LNP Production

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Mirai Bio, a Flagship‑founded biotechnology company, seeks a Senior Research Associate, LNP Production to lead design, production, and characterization of lipid nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery. You will advance preclinical programs and collaborate across multiple partners in a fast-paced team.

The role emphasizes hands‑on formulation, process development, and rigorous documentation to support platform improvement and therapeutic delivery.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, or related field.
• BS + 5 years or MS + 3 years of relevant industry or research experience.
• Hands-on experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and production for nucleic acid cargos.
• Experience with LNP processing techniques and equipment across multiple scales (mixers, pumping systems, TFF).
• Familiarity with analytical techniques to characterize LNPs (particle size, polydispersity, encapsulation).
• Ability to independently execute experiments, troubleshoot, and drive projects forward.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative and adaptable team player with cross-functional experience.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, formulate, produce, and characterize LNPs to support preclinical research for internal platform and external partnerships.
• Execute LNP production across scales from small‑scale to larger production.
• Operate and develop LNP manufacturing and process-development equipment (mixer, pumping, TFF).
• Troubleshoot formulation and process challenges and drive optimization.
• Collaborate with scientists and cross‑functional teams to design experiments and interpret results.
• Support development and implementation of robust LNP production and characterization workflows.
• Maintain thorough documentation of procedures, results, and conclusions.
• Analyze results and present findings to cross‑functional teams.
• Contribute to scientific rigor, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Skills

Lipid nanoparticle formulation

LNP production

Analytical characterization

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Experiment design

Documentation & reporting

Project prioritization

Education

BS or MS in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology

Experience: BS + 5 years or MS + 3 years in industry/research

Tools

Mixers

Pumping systems

Tangential flow filtration (TFF)

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Mirai Bio is a privately-held, Flagship-founded biotechnology company that is delivering genetic medicines from promise to performance. Mirai was built to solve one of the field’s central challenges: achieving precise, scalable delivery of diverse nucleic acid payloads to specific cells and tissues, particularly beyond the liver. By combining a large and growing proprietary in vivo biodistribution dataset, machine learning-guided lipid nanoparticle optimization, modular targeted particle design, and integrated translation and manufacturing capabilities, Mirai helps partners accelerate development, reduce technical risk, and pursue high-value programs making delivery a strategic advantage. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for defining the future of genetic medicines together.

THE ROLE

Mirai Bio is seeking a highly motivated and talented Senior Research Associate, LNP Production to support the development and advancement of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. In this role, you will design, produce, characterize, and optimize LNP formulations to support preclinical research and the development of genetic medicines. The successful candidate will contribute to the continuous improvement of Mirai Bio’s delivery platform and work across multiple programs and partners to advance novel delivery vehicles for a range of nucleic acid cargos. This is a hands‑on role that requires strong technical expertise in LNP formulation and production, sound scientific judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, fast‑paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, formulate, produce, and characterize LNPs to support preclinical research for internal platform and external partnerships.
• Execute LNP production across a range of process scales, from small‑scale formulation and process optimization through larger‑scale production.
• Operate and develop processes using relevant LNP manufacturing and process‑development equipment, including mixers, pumping systems, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and related technologies.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process challenges and contribute to the optimization and continuous improvement of LNP production processes.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and cross‑functional teams to design experiments, interpret results, and advance program objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of robust, reproducible LNP production and characterization workflows.
• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of experimental procedures, results, and conclusions in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Analyze and communicate experimental results and present findings and recommendations to cross‑functional teams.
• Contribute to a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or MS in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, or a related scientific discipline
  • BS + 5 years of relevant industry or research experience
  • MS + 3 years of relevant industry or research experience
• Hands‑on experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and production, particularly for nucleic acid cargos such as mRNA, siRNA, or other genetic medicines.
• Experience with a range of LNP processing techniques and equipment across multiple scales, including mixers, pumping systems, TFF, and related unit operations.
• Familiarity with common analytical techniques used to characterize LNPs, including measurements of particle size, polydispersity, encapsulation efficiency, and other relevant physicochemical attributes.
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret data, and drive projects forward.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative and adaptable team player who is equally comfortable working independently and partnering across functions.
• Ability to prioritize effectively and consistently deliver high‑quality results in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID‑19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

The salary range for this role is $81,000 - $107,300. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Mirai Bio currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Mirai Bio's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.