Research Associate II - Senior Research Associate II, LNP Formulation & Drug Delivery

Responsibilities

• Execute the formulation of LNPs encapsulating diverse gene editing payloads (mRNA, sgRNA) for in vitro validation and in vivo preclinical studies.
• Optimize LNP potency by conducting Design of Experiments (DOE) type of studies.
• Implement process development (e.g., mixing optimization, TFF process optimization, buffer optimizations) in preparation for scaled-up production.
• Perform routine and advanced LNP analytics, including particle size/polydispersity (e.g., dynamic light scattering), zeta potential, pKa determination, and encapsulation efficiency (e.g., RiboGreen assays).
• Collaborate closely with internal therapeutics translation teams and external CROs to advance multiple programs forward.
• Maintain rigorous electronic laboratory records (ELN) and contribute to technical reports, patent applications, and future regulatory filings.

Qualifications

• Research Associate II: BS with 2+ years of relevant industry experience. Senior Research Associate: MS with 2-4 years; OR BS with 4-6 years of relevant industry experience.
• Proven hands-on experience with LNP production (e.g., microfluidic mixing, T-junction) and purification techniques (TFF, dialysis).
• Must have at least 2 years of experience working in an industry lab; 4+ years preferred.
• Hands-on experience in nanoparticle characterization tools and techniques related to nucleic acid quantification.
• A rigorous approach to experimental planning and data analysis; attention to experimental details and ability to identify subtle deviations and troubleshoot formulation inconsistencies effectively.
• Functional proficiency in GraphPad Prism for data analysis, including generating scientific graphs and performing routine statistical tests (e.g., t-tests and ANOVA).
• Excellent verbal and written skills with a demonstrated ability to summarize complex datasets for diverse stakeholders.

Preferences

• Familiarity with automation or robotic platforms for rapid formulation library generation.
• Practical knowledge of DOE (Design of Experiments) software such as JMP or Design-Expert for systematic formulation screening and optimization.
• Experience with LC-based analysis tools for lipids and RNA (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, UPLC-CAD).
• An agile, "growth-oriented" approach with the ability to pivot and adapt to the evolving needs of an early-stage research environment.