Scientist, CMC

Company Summary:

FL87, Inc. is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases.

FL87 was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 100 groundbreaking companies over the past twenty years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB), Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Tx, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary:

We are searching for an experienced and enthusiastic Scientist, CMC to lead the development of novel methods to manufacturing of novel nucleic acid therapeutics. We are looking for an individual who enjoys hands-on laboratory benchwork and brings scientific rigor and intellectual curiosity to their role. This individual will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced entrepreneurial environment as part of a highly collaborative and rapidly growing team.

Key Responsibilities:

Work with the team to drive advancement of platform development developing methods for scalable, rigorous, and cost-effective manufacturing and quality control. Step into benchwork to execute platform goals with tenacity, agility, and timeliness. 

• The successful candidate will work as part of the team responsible for the development, characterization, and production of nucleic acid therapeutics
• Synthesize, purify, and characterize routine nucleic acid products for preclinical studies
• Help establish and optimize nucleic acid manufacturing scale-up capability
• Help develop scalable strategies for upstream and downstream nucleic acid production
• Carry out process development studies using the design-of-experiments approach
• Analyze, summarize, and present experimental results to team members and management
• Explore new technologies and methods to optimize current processes in fast-paced research environment
• Maintain up-to-date records and communicate results to team members in written technical reports and oral presentations
• Participate in experimental design and troubleshooting efforts
• Interpret, summarize experimental data and maintain excellent laboratory notebooks

Qualifications:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
• The ideal candidate will have the experience in the following:

• Deep expertise with:
  • Novel purification methods for nucleic acids
  • Enzymatic Reactions such as IVT reactions to produce mRNA
• Experience with:
  • Nucleic Acid characterization to asses yield and purity
  • Molecular biology techniques such as molecular cloning

• Attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and trouble-shoot
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent record keeping and data management skills
• The ideal candidate is adaptable, enthusiastic about new challenges, has an innate curiosity, and a passion for learning
• Experience working in fast-paced startup environments
• Excellent organization skills, approaching tasks with efficiency
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and communicate scientific data
• Ability to work independently while effectively interacting and collaborating in a team environment

Values and Behaviors:

Flagship is an experiment in institutional, entrepreneurial, and innovation practiced in the context of a small company with an insurgent mindset. We are seeking individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit, strong communication skills, and comfort in working in and contributing to a dynamic and cross-functional team environment. The level of the role will be commensurate with the education and years of experience of the identified candidates.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.