Sr. Research Associate - Gene Therapy

Dyno Therapeutics; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Stock options

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Flexible paid time off

On-campus gym membership

Onsite lunch

Commuter support

Company provided laptop

Job summary

Dyno Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Research Associate to advance animal studies and identify muscle AAV-based capsids. You will process tissues from in vivo studies, support histology workflows, and perform in vitro experiments to characterize leading capsids and libraries.

You will work with a cross-functional team of scientists, optimize workflows, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high-quality data to inform gene therapy programs.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of full-time, post-graduate wet-lab experience.
• Experience in DNA/RNA purification and analysis protocols (qPCR, RT-qPCR).
• Experience handling mammalian tissues or other complex biological samples.
• Ability to execute complex protocols with high accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Sample inventory and dissection of tissues (mammalian cells, non-human primate and mouse tissues).
• Extract, purify, and enrich nucleic acids from mammalian cells and tissues.
• Run quantification assays on purified nucleic acids (e.g., qPCR, RT-qPCR).
• Prepare next-generation sequencing libraries (amplicon sequencing) and perform QC steps.
• Support histology workflows, including tissue preparation, sectioning, staining, imaging, and analysis.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and execute cell-based experiments to characterize leading muscle capsids and capsid libraries.
• Analyze experimental data, identify technical issues, and recommend next steps in collaboration with project leads.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records using ELN and LIMS.
• Communicate findings clearly and collaborate across experimental and computational teams to achieve goals.
• Adhere to lab protocols and safety regulations.

Skills

Molecular biology

Tissue processing

Histology

Cell culture

qPCR

In vitro assays

Data analysis

Lab documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS/MS in biology/biochemistry/biomedical engineering

Tools

Benchling

LIMS

Job description

Senior Research Associate As a hands-on molecular biology expert, you will play a key role in advancing Dyno’s animal studies to identify and develop cutting-edge muscle AAV-based capsids. You will process and analyze tissues from in vivo studies, support histology workflows, and conduct in vitro experiments to characterize leading capsids and capsid libraries. Working closely with Research Associates, Scientists, and Computational Biologists, you will help the Muscle team generate high-quality data that shapes the future of gene therapy.

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Watertown

How You Will Contribute

As a Senior Research Associate, you will provide hands-on experimental support across tissue processing, molecular measurements, histology, and in vitro characterization. You will work alongside a team of talented scientists and contribute to a diverse range of projects. Your role will require you to optimize workflows, troubleshoot problems, and ensure successful project outcomes by aligning with team goals.

At Dyno, every role is mission-driven. Whether in science, engineering, operations, or business, each AAViator contributes to solving some of the most complex challenges in genetic medicine.

Responsibilities:

• Sample inventory and dissection of tissues (mammalian cells, non-human primate and mouse tissues).
• Extract, purify, and enrich nucleic acids from mammalian cells and tissues.
• Run quantification assays on purified nucleic acids (e.g., qPCR, RT-qPCR).
• Prepare next-generation sequencing libraries (amplicon sequencing) and perform associated QC steps.
• Support histology workflows, including tissue preparation, sectioning, staining, imaging, and analysis.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and execute cell-based experiments to characterize leading muscle capsids and capsid libraries.
• Analyze experimental data, identify technical issues, and recommend appropriate next steps in collaboration with project leads.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of samples, experimental procedures, and results using Dyno’s electronic laboratory notebook and LIMS systems.
• Communicate findings clearly and collaborate across experimental and computational teams to achieve project goals.
• Adhere to lab protocols and safety regulations to ensure a safe working environment.
• Work with urgency and adaptability, balancing innovation with execution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally, leveraging Dyno’s high-trust, high-impact culture to drive results.
• BS or MS in biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of full time, post graduate, hands-on wet lab experience.
• Experience in DNA/RNA purification and analysis protocols (qPCR, RT-qPCR, etc.).
• Experience handling mammalian tissues or other complex biological samples.
• Ability to execute complex protocols with high accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail
• Ability to organize and track large sample sets across multiple concurrent studies and workflows.
• Strong experimental documentation and data-management practices.
• Ability to analyze data, identify technical problems, and contribute to decisions about experimental next steps.
• Willingness to push the boundaries of work through the use of AI.
• Alignment with Dyno’s core values - We seek individuals who step up when things get tough, recalibrate when priorities shift, and thrive in a high-expectation environment.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset - you don’t just identify challenges; you find solutions.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with AAV biology, gene therapy, viral vectors, or drug-delivery technologies.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing library preparation.
• Experience processing animal tissues for molecular measurements, including vector genome, mRNA, or protein analysis.
• Experience with histology workflows, including tissue preparation, sectioning, staining, imaging, or quantitative analysis.
• Familiarity with ELN-LIMS data management software (e.g. Benchling).

The Company

At Dyno Therapeutics, we are a high-energy, high-impact team on a mission to build high-performance genetic technologies that transform patient lives. Our team unites world-class molecular biologists, protein engineers, software developers, data scientists, and machine learning experts—all working together at the intersection of AI and genetic medicine.

Our culture is defined by three core values that guide everything we do:

• One Mission: Everything we do is for the mission. We are a cohesive and motivated team, thinking ahead and supporting one another to overcome challenges.
• Proactive Responsibility: We take action, inject energy into our work, and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
• Reaching for Excellence: We constantly strive for excellence, fueled by curiosity, adaptability, and the courage to speak hard truths in pursuit of success.

These values are more than words—they drive our actions and decisions. Our greatest strength isn’t technology—it’s our work ethic. More than just technologists, we’re a team of relentlessly resourceful problem-solvers: with an unshakable drive we generate breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and genetic medicine.

What You’ll Give:

• Bring an unstoppable work ethic, stepping up when things get tough and adapting as priorities shift.
• Embrace challenges as opportunities, finding solutions where none exist and driving innovation forward.
• Operate with urgency, responsibility, and resilience, because this mission demands the best from us.

What You’ll Get:

• Competitive compensation & equity—your contributions drive results, and we pay accordingly.
• Mission-aligned, high-trust environment—we succeed together, supporting each other through challenges.
• A career-defining experience—work at the forefront of AI-driven genetic medicine, tackling problems that reshape healthcare.

If you’re ready to push boundaries, build the future, and thrive in a fast-moving, high-impact environment—we’d love to hear from you.

At Dyno, we believe in transparent and equitable compensation practices.

Base Salary Range: $96,172.08 - $116,236.54/year

This reflects the typical offer range for this role, based on experience, role scope, and internal equity. Final compensation decisions are made using a consistent leveling framework and consider the candidate’s experience, interview performance, and expected impact.

This role is eligible for:

• Annual performance-based bonus
• Stock options
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Flexible paid time off and holidays
• Perks including on-campus gym membership, onsite lunch, commuter support, and company provided laptop

Our compensation ranges are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with market trends and internal equity.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.