Sr Scientist, Discovery Sciences and Technologies

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 169,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus/stock incentives

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision/life insurance

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics seeks a Senior Scientist in Discovery Sciences & Technologies to advance lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology in the LNP Center of Excellence and support clinical development through internal/external collaboration. You will lead ionizable lipid chemistry, design/synthesize lipid libraries, and optimize mRNA-LNP formulations, collaborating with academia, CROs, and vendors to enable translational progress.

Ph.D. and 2+ years post-Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a relevant field.
• 2+ years post-Ph.D. with demonstrated LNP nucleic-acid delivery experience.
• Hands-on LNP formulation/characterization experience.
• Experience with tangential-flow filtration (TFF).
• Strong DoE formulation screening and data integration skills.
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor teams.

Responsibilities

• Subject-matter expert in lipid chemistry and LNP formulation; resolve delivery challenges.
• Design, source, synthesize, and evaluate ionizable lipids and lipid libraries.
• Design/optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and targeted architectures.
• Execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening.
• Establish LNP purification/characterization workflows; include TFF purification.
• Build collaborations with academia, vendors, CROs; communicate via reports and manuscripts.
• People leadership: foster inclusion, develop talent, empower teams.

Skills

Lipid chemistry

LNP formulation

Ionizable lipids

High-throughput screening

DoE/formulation screening

Project leadership

Scientific collaboration

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences / chemistry / chemical engineering / bioengineering / biochemistry

Tools

DLS

zeta potential analysis

TFF purification

LC-based lipid/RNA analysis

Job description

Overview:

Senior Scientist in Discovery Sciences & Technologies; advance lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology in the LNP Center of Excellence (mRNA-LNP discovery for therapeutic applications) and support clinical development via internal/external collaboration.

Responsibilities:

• Subject-matter expert in lipid chemistry and LNP formulation (ionizable lipid chemistry; tissue/cell-selective mRNA delivery); resolve delivery/formulation challenges.
• Design, source, synthesize, and evaluate ionizable lipids and lipid libraries with internal/external partners.
• Design/optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and targeted architectures (including ligand/conjugation strategies).
• Execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening (transfection efficiency, cellular tropism, immune activation, functional activity).
• Establish LNP purification, characterization, and QC workflows (size/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, LC-based lipid/RNA analysis); include TFF purification.
• Build collaborations (academia, vendors, CROs, biotech); communicate via reports, presentations, manuscripts, and patent applications.
• People leader accountabilities: Create Inclusion, Develop Talent, Empower Teams.

Required:

• Ph.D. in relevant field (pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biochemistry, or related).
• 2+ years post-Ph.D. with demonstrated LNP nucleic-acid delivery experience.
• Deep hands-on mRNA-LNP formulation/characterization (lipid selection/composition, microfluidic/scalable mixing, DLS/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation assays, LC-based lipid/RNA analysis).
• Hands-on LNP purification by tangential-flow filtration (TFF).
• High-throughput/DoE formulation screening and multi-parameter data integration into delivery rules.
• Ability to independently lead projects and mentor/manage; strong project management.
• Excellent written/verbal communication; influence and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Preferred:

• 6+ years post-Ph.D.; targeted-LNP approaches via ligand/antibody conjugation; scale-up and technology transfer to CMC/CDMO.

Compensation/Benefits:

• Salary range: $169,320.00–$219,120.00; may include discretionary bonus/stock incentives, paid time off, and company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life insurance.