Tilde Bio: Bioconjugation Chemistry Co-Op

Flagship Pioneering • Cambridge, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Tilde Bio is building a next-generation biological sensing platform combining synthetic biology, protein engineering, nanopore biophysics, electrophysiology, signal processing, and machine learning. The company aims to develop programmable biological measurement systems that extract detailed molecular information from single-molecule interactions. Tilde is backed by Flagship Pioneering, whose venture creation engine builds platform companies focused on transforming human health and sustainability.

Tilde is seeking a motivated master’s-level Co-Op student to join its Bioconjugation Chemistry team. The Co-Op will develop novel bioconjugation chemistries for site-selective protein modification by designing, synthesizing, and evaluating reactive handles and conjugation strategies. The work includes applying these approaches to conjugate proteins with small molecules, linkers, payloads, and other functional moieties, then carrying synthesized reagents through protein conjugation and characterization to expand the toolkit for next-generation protein conjugates. This is a hands-on laboratory role with scientific ownership and close collaboration with chemists, protein engineers, and nanopore scientists.

The position is exclusively open to current Northeastern University Co-Op students. The work period is January 2027 to June 2027. It is full-time at 40 hours per week, with five days in the office. The pay range is $25–$35 per hour. This short-term engagement is not eligible for health and welfare benefits; retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing an M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field.
• Strong foundation in organic synthesis, including multistep synthesis, purification, and characterization.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as NMR and LC-MS, and ability to extract structural information from spectra.
• Working knowledge of protein chemistry, including handling, purification, and buffer considerations.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot experiments, and think critically about results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Must be a current Northeastern University Co-Op student.

Nice To Haves

• Previous research or industry experience in bioconjugation, chemical biology, or protein modification.
• Familiarity with antibody or protein conjugate modalities.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to discover and optimize bioconjugation reactions on proteins and peptides, targeting native residues, termini, and/or genetically encoded or non-canonical handles.
• Synthesize small-molecule reagents, linkers, and probes, including purification and structural characterization.
• Screen reaction conditions under biocompatible conditions and assess kinetics, selectivity, and yield.
• Characterize protein conjugates using intact-protein LC-MS and related methods to determine purity, conjugation efficiency, and site selectivity.
• Evaluate conjugate stability and the impact of modification on protein structure and function.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records in an electronic lab notebook.
• Analyze data, summarize findings, and present results at team meetings.
• Contribute to a culture of safe laboratory practice and scientific rigor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern