R&D Scientist

6-month Contract Onsite in Cambridge, MA Must be able to work on a W2 Overview This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead process development efforts, scale-up activities, and technical transfers in a fast-growing biotech environment. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams, apply your scientific expertise to develop new purification technologies, and help translate laboratory insights into manufacturing success. Your contributions will play a key part in advancing therapies from concept to clinic and beyond, impacting patient outcomes worldwide. Key Responsibilities Develop, optimize, and characterize purification processes for oligonucleotides and peptides, including chromatography, ultrafiltration, and chemical modifications Investigate and implement innovative purification technologies to improve purity, robustness, and productivity Collaborate across research, manufacturing, and technical transfer teams to enhance process understanding and facilitate smooth transitions to production Document work thoroughly in development reports, lead pilot-scale activities, and support technology transfer into GMP facilities Participate in preparing regulatory documentation, including IND sections, and support troubleshooting and process validation efforts Mentor and train junior team members, and lead small projects to improve process efficiency and quality Must-Have Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related life sciences with 2–4 years of industry experience, or a Master’s degree with 0–2 years in industry Hands-on experience with chromatography (ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, reversed-phase) and ultrafiltration/diafiltration processes Knowledge of protein, peptide, or DNA/RNA purification techniques, including analysis via HPLC and UV/Vis spectroscopy Familiarity with AKTA systems, Unicorn software, and statistical experimental design (DoE) Nice-to-Have Skills: Experience with process characterization and robustness studies Exposure to chemical cleavage, conjugation, or hybridization steps Experience in process scale-up and tech transfer in a GMP setting Familiarity with regulatory documentation for IND submissions