Associate Scientist II

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals•Cambridge, MA

51d•$67,600 - $101,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Next Wave Biology group is seeking a motivated candidate to fill an Associate Scientist II position to join our dynamic, fast-paced and interdisciplinary team. This position is an opportunity to potentially see one’s work progress from the bench to the clinic and positively impact patients’ lives. The successful candidate will support development of current therapeutic programs and will also be involved in the discovery of RNAi compounds for a variety of novel indications, supporting the preclinical efforts foundational to their transition into the clinic. The successful candidate will have background in biological sciences and be technically skilled in basic laboratory techniques. Responsibilities will include designing and executing studies evaluating small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in rodent models in vivo and in cellular models in vitro and conducting downstream molecular and biochemical-based assays, including transcript and protein quantitation. A passion for science, a desire to learn new techniques and a team-oriented mindset are a must. Experience and willingness to work with rodents and perform cell culture are also essential. This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.

Requirements

Minimum B.S. degree in a life sciences-related discipline such as Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering or Genetics
1+ years of experience in laboratory research in industrial or academic settings, including hands-on experience performing cell/tissue culture and performing studies involving rodents
Proficiency in RNA/DNA/protein extraction and analysis techniques, including qPCR, western blotting and ELISA
Working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and GraphPAD Prism
Ability to perform and troubleshoot assays independently or with limited direction of supervisor(s)/project leader(s)
Demonstrate keen knowledge of experimental design, underlying scientific principles, and the ability to rigorously and independently analyze results, propose future directions, solve challenging problems and generate clear reports
Must be flexible, open to new tasks and challenges and able to work on tight deadlines
Effective written and oral communication skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to function at a high capacity within a fast-paced team environment across functional areas.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, eagerness to learn, and the ability to follow written and verbal instruction.

Nice To Haves

Advanced rodent handling skills (subcutaneous/intravenous dosing, blood collection, and necropsy/dissection expertise) is strongly preferred
Experience evaluating rodent disease models is a plus
Experience working with in vivo or in vitro models of skeletal or cardiac muscle disease is a plus

Responsibilities

Contribute to study design and independently execute studies to characterize molecules for RNAi therapeutic delivery to a diverse array of tissues, in rodent disease models, WT mice or cell-based models
Develop and conduct assays such as qPCR, western blot, and ELISA, in support of in vivo and in vitro studies, troubleshooting when necessary
Perform in vitro cell-based assays to characterize drug activity, including efforts to optimize novel culture systems
Perform in vivo procedures in rodents, including administration of therapeutics, evaluation of functional outcomes and tissue collection, via established methodologies
Analyze, interpret and present data to groups within and outside of Next Wave Biology
Ensure high quality data entry into electronic lab notebooks and perform data analysis in a timely manner to prepare clearly articulated experimental reports and presentations
Develop and share SOPs/protocols for novel methods
Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
Adapt quickly to changing priorities in a dynamic work environment
Effectively and pro-actively multi-task and operate collaboratively within a team-based environment
Communicate openly and directly within and across teams and management and demonstrate the ability to effectively manage conflict