Senior Scientist, Analytical Development – RNA & LNP

Sendabiosciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Sail Biomedicines is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead analytical method development for RNA drug substances and lipid nanoparticle products. This role interfaces with analytical development, process development, and manufacturing to translate insights into program decisions.

The candidate will design phase-appropriate methods, troubleshoot complex analytical issues, and mentor junior scientists in a fast-paced environment focused on preclinical and clinical programs.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BSc with substantial industry experience in analytical method development for biotech/pharma.
• Experience developing, qualifying, validating, and transferring analytical methods.
• Background in analytics for biologics, nucleic acids, lipid nanoparticles, or similar.
• Hands-on use of chromatography, electrophoresis, spectroscopy, DLS, plate-based and binding assays.
• Ability to design experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot, and drive studies to completion.
• Experience supporting product characterization, formulation, stability, or comparability.
• Strong written, data analysis, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, qualification, and transfer of analytical methods for RNA drug substance and LNP drug product.
• Design studies to characterize product quality attributes: purity, potency, identity, concentration, etc.
• Develop phase-appropriate analytical methods and define performance criteria.
• Troubleshoot complex analytical challenges and develop data-driven solutions.
• Lead investigations of impurities and degradation pathways; address method issues.
• Collaborate with Process Development, Preclinical Manufacturing, MS&T, and platform teams.
• Evaluate new analytical technologies to improve robustness, throughput, and compliance.
• Author and review analytical procedures, protocols, reports, and summaries.
• Maintain documentation in ELNs and data management systems.
• Analyze complex datasets and present findings to stakeholders to enable decisions.
• Manage multiple priorities and drive deliverables within timelines.
• Stay current with literature, regulatory guidance, and advances in RNA therapeutics.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior scientists.

Skills

Analytical method development

Biologics analytics

Lipid nanoparticles

Chromatography

Capillary electrophoresis

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Dynamic light scattering

Cell-based assays

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field

M.S. with 7+ years of relevant industry experience

B.S. with 9+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

JMP

GraphPad Prism

Benchling

Job description

Sail Biomedicines is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead analytical method development for RNA drug substances and lipid nanoparticle products. This role interfaces with analytical development, process development, and manufacturing to translate insights into program decisions.

The candidate will design phase-appropriate methods, troubleshoot complex analytical issues, and mentor junior scientists in a fast-paced environment focused on preclinical and clinical programs.