Senior Scientist, Biology

Flagship Pioneering; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Job summary

FL106 Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist to join its preclinical research team and lead cell isolation, flow cytometry, and in vivo mouse studies. The role focuses on siRNA-based target validation, imaging, and mechanism discovery to advance therapeutic programs.

The candidate will mentor junior scientists, manage collaborations, and help shape scientific strategy while delivering rigorous, reproducible results in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field with 6+ years of relevant experience for Senior Scientist roles; 8+ years for Principal Scientist roles.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze complex in vitro and in vivo experiments to support discovery and preclinical programs.
• Lead multi-parameter flow cytometry assays, including panel design, optimization, and data interpretation.
• Perform cell isolation and sorting from various tissues; execute in vivo mouse studies; develop siRNA-based validation and mechanistic studies.
• Design and perform microscopy-based experiments (fluorescence, confocal, live-cell, high-content) and analyze imaging data.
• Collaborate across internal teams and CROs; mentor junior scientists and contribute to strategy and program advancement.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Cell isolation & sorting

In vivo mouse studies

siRNA design & validation

Microscopy

Data analysis & statistics

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Cell Biology or related field

6+ years of relevant industry experience (Senior Scientist)

Tools

FlowJo

MACS

qPCR

Image analysis (ImageJ/Fiji, Imaris)

RNA-Seq analysis

Job description

Company Summary

FL106 Inc. is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel drug delivery modalities. FL106 is backed by Flagship Pioneering, which provides the strategic vision and resources to advance FL106 from platform validation to clinical impact.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join our research team. The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in cell isolation and sorting, in vivo and in vitro mouse studies, gene‑silencing technologies (siRNA), flow cytometry and advanced microscopy techniques. This individual will play a key role in designing, executing, and interpreting preclinical studies to support therapeutic programs. Depending on experience and demonstrated leadership, the candidate may lead research initiatives, mentor team members, manage external collaborations, and contribute to scientific and program strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze complex in vitro and ex vivo experiments to support discovery and preclinical research programs.
• Lead and perform multi‑parameter flow cytometry assays, including panel design, optimization, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Perform and optimize cell isolation and cell sorting (e.g., FACS, MACS) from various tissues and biological samples.
• Execute in vivo mouse studies, including disease model development, dosing, tissue collection, and phenotypic characterization.
• Develop and apply siRNA‑based approaches for target validation, pathway interrogation, and mechanistic studies.
• Design and perform microscopy‑based experiments, including fluorescence, confocal, live‑cell, and high‑content imaging, and analyze imaging datasets.
• Utilize complementary molecular and cellular biology techniques to support target validation and mechanism‑of‑action studies.
• Design, analyze, and interpret cell profiling experiments using flow cytometry, imaging, and molecular approaches.
• Contribute to biomarker discovery, translational research efforts, and preclinical candidate characterization.
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental findings to cross‑functional teams and senior leadership.
• Generate technical reports, presentations, study summaries, and scientific documentation to support program advancement.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, CROs, academic collaborators, and external partners.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a collaborative, innovative research environment.
• For Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist levels, provide scientific leadership, contribute to research strategy, and lead cross‑functional initiatives.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and ensure compliance with institutional, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field with 6+ years of relevant experience for Senior Scientist roles; 8+ years of industry experience and demonstrated scientific leadership for Principal Scientist roles.
• Alternatively, an M.S. degree with substantial relevant industry experience.
• Strong expertise in flow cytometry, including cell sorting (FACS), panel design, troubleshooting, and data analysis using FlowJo or equivalent software.
• Hands‑on experience with cell isolation techniques, including tissue dissociation and magnetic bead–based separation.
• Extensive experience with mouse models and in vitro experimental techniques.
• Demonstrated expertise in siRNA design, delivery, optimization, and functional validation.
• Hands‑on experience with microscopy platforms, including fluorescence, confocal, live‑cell, and high‑content imaging systems.
• Strong quantitative data analysis, experimental design, and statistical analysis skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and scientific writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in translational research, drug discovery, or preclinical therapeutic development.
• Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry settings.
• Experience with cell profiling, phenotyping, and functional assays using primary mouse and human cells, as well as established cell lines.
• Experience with single‑cell and/or spatial biology technologies, including scRNA‑seq, CITE‑seq, or spatial transcriptomics.
• Experience managing CROs, external collaborators, and cross‑functional project teams.
• Proficiency with additional molecular and cellular biology techniques, including:
• qPCR
• Western blotting
• ELISA and multiplex cytokine assays
• RNA‑seq and transcriptomic analysis
• Gene silencing and gene‑editing approaches
• Protein overexpression systems
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and advanced flow cytometry applications
• Experience with image analysis software such as ImageJ/Fiji, CellProfiler, Imaris, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with computational analysis of flow cytometry, imaging, or transcriptomic datasets.
• Track record of scientific publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of therapeutic programs.

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in generation of over 500 patents, initiation of over 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents and an aggregate value of more than $90 billion. Many of the companies Flagship has founded 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.

Flagship Pioneering is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

The salary range for this role is $126,000 - $160,000. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. FL106 currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits.