Job Title:

Associate Research Scientist Contractor, Non-Viral Delivery (LNP)

Location:

Lexington, MA Duration:

12 Months (Possibility of extension depending upon business requirements and performance)

Reporting Expectations:

Onsite; Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Top skills per

Manager:

Hands-on experience with LNP formulation and characterization. Experience conducting mammalian cell culture and in vitro assays. Strong experimental documentation, data analysis, and communication skills. As an Associate Scientist Contractor in the Nucleic Acid Delivery, Formulations & Bioanalysis department, you will support a collaborative, multinational team focused on advancing synthetic, non-viral nanomedicines. This laboratory-based role will contribute to the formulation, characterization, and evaluation of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems for nucleic acid delivery, supporting platform development and preclinical research activities through internal and external collaborations.

Essential Functions:

Formulate and characterize nucleic acid-loaded LNPs at small to mid-scale using microfluidics, with attention to reproducibility, scalability, product quality, and consistency. Conduct stability studies to evaluate and improve LNP formulation, including assessment of critical formulation parameters for optimizing stability of drug product. Support ligand conjugation to LNPs, including targeted LNPs, and assist with advanced analytical characterization methods. Execute in vitro assays, including mammalian cell culture, potency, uptake, and viability assays, as applicable. Plan, execute, document, and analyze experiments with appropriate scientific rigor and attention to detail. Communicate results clearly through internal presentations, written summaries, reports, and team discussions.

Qualifications:

Master's degree with approximately 3 years of relevant experience, or PhD with 1-3 years of relevant experience, in pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, bioengineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline. Relevant experience may include a combination of industry and academic work and should include some of the following: Hands-on experience formulating LNPs at small to mid-scale using microfluidics. Experience with analytical characterization methods, such as dynamic light scattering, fluorescence-based nucleic acid assays, chromatography, or related techniques. Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays highly desirable. Ability to independently follow laboratory procedures, maintain accurate records, and operate within established equipment and laboratory SOPs. Experience with laboratory automation or high-throughput workflows is desirable. Experience preparing scientific reports, presentations, or publications is highly desirable.