Origination Associate

Flagship Pioneering • Cambridge, MA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Flagship Pioneering is seeking a highly motivated, innovative Origination Associate to help create new ventures at the intersection of biology and technology. The role involves ideating, researching, and refining novel venture hypotheses; developing scientific roadmaps and business cases; and co-leading company origination from its earliest stages. The Associate will help identify and recruit scientific partners and advisors, establish foundational intellectual property, build and lead early scientific teams, and shape new companies’ cultures and operating principles. The position collaborates with stakeholders across the Flagship ecosystem to accelerate company formation and growth. The successful candidate will bring strategic thinking, an understanding of value creation in biotechnology, and comfort with technical and business uncertainty. This is a full-time, on-site position in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent experience) in a scientific field, particularly biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related discipline; diverse academic backgrounds are welcome.
• At least 2 years of post-PhD experience in research, technology, startups, or another environment requiring analytical rigor and creative problem-solving.
• Ability to become conversant rapidly in new areas of science and engage thought leaders at a deep level of technological understanding.
• Strong scientific curiosity and creativity.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling written narratives and presentations.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize and communicate complex information rapidly and effectively.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving entrepreneurial contexts, prioritize, pivot, and make progress without a playbook.
• Strong sense of urgency and willingness to go the extra mile to drive success.
• Openness to giving and receiving feedback, a record of acting on feedback, and a passion for growth and development.
• Genuine passion for innovation, venture creation, and exploring uncharted technological spaces.

Responsibilities

• Identify and investigate emerging frontiers in biology and technology that could unlock new markets and industries.
• Generate venture hypotheses, conduct rapid conceptual, computational, or prototype-driven experiments, and rigorously test assumptions.
• Translate early concepts into venture designs, including technical theses, experimental plans, product architectures, and potential go-to-market approaches.
• Contribute directly to the conception and launch of high-potential ventures, with hands-on involvement in their earliest stages.
• Identify and recruit key scientific partners and advisors, establish foundational intellectual property, build and lead early scientific teams, and shape company culture and operating principles.
• Collaborate with scientists, product thinkers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders across the Flagship ecosystem.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights for Flagship’s venture creation process.
• Monitor emerging scientific advances and bring creativity and critical thinking to overlooked areas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree