Associate Director, LNP Manufacturing

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.•Cambridge, MA

2d•$154,000 - $203,500•Onsite

About The Position

Serif Biomedicines is seeking an Associate Director to lead lipid nanoparticle (LNP) manufacturing and scale-up while helping develop the next generation of Programmable Medicines. The role involves leading a team of scientists and engineers, driving innovation, and applying scientific rigor and attention to detail in a collaborative, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. The Associate Director will scale LNP processes from small research formulations to non-human primate (NHP) scale in support of a development candidate, and work cross-functionally to deliver materials for in vivo studies. The position is in person in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The salary range is $154,000–$203,500, with compensation dependent on qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Serif Biomedicines offers healthcare coverage, an annual incentive program, retirement benefits, and other benefits.

Requirements

Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or biomedical engineering, plus relevant industry experience.
Hands-on experience scaling nucleic acid LNP formulations across upstream, downstream, and analytics.
Working knowledge of mixing platforms such as T-mix, impingement, and microfluidics, as well as TFF.
Familiarity with LNP analytical methods, including DLS, HPLC/CAD, LC-MS, and encapsulation assays.
Solid understanding of lipid and LNP design principles, stability, and their impact on critical product attributes.
General understanding of molecular biology and nucleic acid therapeutics.
Experience managing and mentoring research associates and junior scientists.
Entrepreneurial spirit, strong communication skills, and comfort working in and contributing to a dynamic, cross-functional team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience scaling in a GMP environment and managing CDMOs.
Experience taking LNPs to the clinic, including agency interactions.
Experience with targeted LNP conjugation at scale.
Lipid synthesis, purification, and compositional analysis.

Responsibilities

Lead LNP scale-up from small research and development formulations to NHP scale in support of a development candidate.
Drive upstream and downstream process development, including mixing platforms, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and freeze/storage buffer optimization.
Scale targeted LNPs, including conjugation, purification, and associated analytics.
Run micro- to mid-scale formulation on microfluidics platforms such as NanoAssemblr to support platform advancement with cross-functional partners.
Integrate QC profiling and method development—including DLS, HPLC/CAD, LC-MS, and encapsulation distribution assays—into process development.
Lead and mentor a team of scientists and engineers, and partner across departments to deliver for in vivo studies.