Senior Scientist, LNP Formulation

Kernal Biologics, Inc.; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Monthly subway pass

Subsidized commuter rail pass

Free Bluebike Membership

Flexible Spending Account

Paid parental leave

Family caregiver leave

Paid life insurance

On-site cafeteria

Vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Kernal Bio seeks an exceptional Senior Scientist to contribute to developing its targeting lipid nanoparticle platform. The successful candidate will work as part of the team responsible for developing and characterizing the manufacturing process of lipid nanoparticle systems, supporting the tech transfer to the CMC team and external partners, and analyzing/presenting results.

The successful candidate must be able to work in a fast paced and highly dynamic Biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry or related field.
• PhD with 2 years of industry experience in lipid nanoparticles or related.
• Experience manufacturing LNPs using Microfluidics/T-mixer/inline mixers.
• Experience with TFF and sterile filtration.
• Proficiency with LNP/mRNA analytical techniques (HPLC, LC/MS).
• Proficiency with in vivo LNP testing (IV administration, IVIS).
• Proficiency with relevant biological assays for LNPs.
• Familiarity with ELN and GraphPad Prism.
• Experience with DoE and process modeling.
• Preferred: Flow cytometry knowledge and tech transfer to GMP.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize novel LNP formulations.
• Support design and execution of flow cytometry experiments for LNP screening.
• Screen buffers to improve LNP stability.
• Execute in vivo experiments with LNPs.
• Develop assays and investigations of LNP attributes.
• Troubleshoot LNP/mRNA manufacturing processes.
• Analyze and present results to the team.
• Maintain stocks and supplies for the LNP Formulation team.
• Assist tech transfer to external partner programs.
• Maintain records and prepare internal reports.
• Contribute to IP discussions regarding Kernal’s technologies.

Skills

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Attention to detail

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Adaptability

Time management

Biotech startup experience

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering/Biomedical Engineering/Bioengineering/Pharmaceutics/Chemistry

Tools

Microfluidics

T-mixer

Inline mixers

TFF

Sterile filtration

HPLC

LC-MS

IVIS imaging

Flow cytometry

GraphPad Prism

DoE

ELN

Job description

Kernal Bio is a venture-backed therapeutics company engineering cells inside the body using AI-designed, selective mRNA and targeted LNP technology. By developing in vivo CAR-T therapies, Kernal Bio is advancing precision treatments for autoimmune diseases and blood cancers. The company was founded by experts from MIT, Harvard, Merck, and BMS, and its leadership team brings a track record of three FDA-approved therapies and over 120 patents. Based in Boston, the company is backed by Hummingbird Ventures, Amgen, Lilly, HBM, ARPA-H, and NVIDIA. Kernal Bio is transforming the future of cell therapy design and delivery.

Job Summary

Kernal Bio seeks an exceptional, highly motivated Senior Scientist to contribute to developing its targeting lipid nanoparticle platform. The successful candidate will work as part of the team responsible for developing and characterizing the manufacturing process of lipid nanoparticle systems, supporting the tech transfer to the CMC team and external partners, and analyzing/presenting results. The successful candidate must be able to work in a fast paced and highly dynamic Biotech environment. Ideal candidate will be a great team player with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize novel LNP formulations and components using Dynamic Light Scattering, Ribogreen, HPLC, etc.
• Support the design and execution of flow cytometry-related experiments pertaining to LNP screening and optimization.
• Screen final formulation buffers and excipients to improve the long-term stability of LNPs
• Execute in vivo experiments with LNP compositions
• Develop new assays or detailed investigations of specific LNP attributes as required.
• Development, optimization, and troubleshooting of LNP/mRNA manufacturing processes at various scales.
• Analyze, summarize, and present experimental results to team members and management.
• Contribute to maintaining stocks and supplies for operations within the LNP Formulation team.
• Participate in technology transfer activities related to manufacturing processes and/or analytical methods to external partner programs.
• Maintain up-to-date records and prepare internal reports.
• Contribute to technical discussions & intellectual property related to the development and application of Kernal’s proprietary technologies

Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutics, Chemistry or related field.
• PhD with 2 years of industry experience in process development in the context of lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, or similar.
• Experience in manufacturing LNPs using Microfluidics, T-mixer, or other inline mixers.
• Experience with tangential flow filtration (TFF) and sterile filtration.
• Proficiency with related LNP/mRNA analytical techniques (e.g. plate-based fluorescence assays, HPLC, LC/MS)
• Proficiency with in vivo LNP testing (IV administration, IVIS imaging, etc.)
• Proficiency with biological assays critical for identifying key characteristics or properties of lipid nanoparticles
• Familiarity with ELN and GraphPad Prism.
• Experience with process modeling and Design of Experiment (DoE) statistical tools.
• Preferred: Experience with flow cytometry principles and executing experiments
• Nice To Have: Experience with tech transfer to GMP manufacturing.
• Attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and complete deliverables within timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for new challenges and a passion for learning in a fast-paced startup setting.
• Ability to work independently while effectively interacting and collaborating in a team environment.
• Competitive 401(k)
• Highly competitive healthcare coverage (PPO/HMO)
• Free parking, monthly subway pass, or a subsidized commuter rail pass
• Free Bluebike Membership
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid parental leave, family caregiver leave, medical leave
• Paid life insurance coverage
• On-site cafeteria
• Competitive vacation and sick days per year

Kernal is dedicated towards providing a diverse work environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in employment practices for reasons of race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, religion, disability, or any other legally protected status. Kernal will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.