Temp Senior Research Associate/Sr Scientist, Formulation and Delivery Sciences

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been discovering medical breakthroughs for more than three decades, redefining life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, revolutionizing drug discovery and transforming lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology, and select areas of high patient needs, we drive innovation in RNA therapies and advance new approaches in gene editing.

About the role

We seek an energetic and detail-oriented Senior Research Associate or Senior Scientist to support Ionis’s new gene editing franchise. This is an onsite, laboratory-based role in nanoparticle formulations R&D for the intracellular delivery of RNA. The successful candidate will synthesize research-scale RNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles, perform physical-chemical characterizations, and assist with biological testing in rodents and/or cell culture.

Responsibilities

• Meticulous hands-on laboratory work synthesizing and documenting a variety of RNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic mixing, dialysis, filtration, centrifugation, SEC, etc.
• Perform particle analysis via Ribogreen, DLS, zeta potential, pKa determination, etc., and potentially analyze lipids and RNA via HPLC.
• Assist with routine rodent procedures to dose formulations and assess safety/activity.
• Thoroughly document results in electronic lab notebooks and assist with analysis of data.
• Assist in maintaining general laboratory organization and supplies.

Requirements

• BS in life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, or related discipline with at least 5 years of relevant academic/industry laboratory experience (for Senior Research Associate level).
• PhD in life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, or related discipline with at least 2 years of relevant academic/industry laboratory experience (for Senior Scientist role).
• Prior expertise in accurately synthesizing numerous bench-scale RNA-containing LNP batches using microfluidic mixing technologies and bench-scale purification.
• Prior experience performing nanoparticle characterization using Ribogreen, DLS, Zeta potential, etc. Experience with analysis of lipids/RNAs via HPLC is a plus.
• Ability to learn and perform routine rodent procedures (e.g., tail vein injection and necropsy).
• A team player who can work both independently and with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Good organizational and written/verbal communication skills.

Pay

The hourly pay scale for this position is $42.34/hour to $75.49/hour.