Scientist II, mRNA Technologies

Repertoire Immune Medicines•Watertown, MA

About The Position

Repertoire Immune Medicines is seeking a Scientist II to join its autoimmune tolerance induction team. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing mRNA constructs that deliver antigens, cell-modifying payloads, and immune modulators across autoimmune programs. The scientist will work within the Integrated Therapeutics and Development team and partner with lipid nanoparticle technology, in vivo pharmacology, antigen discovery and validation, and computational sciences to advance drug candidates from concept through preclinical and toward clinical development. The successful candidate will contribute expertise in therapeutic mRNA design, production, purification, and molecular and functional characterization. The work includes optimizing protein expression, immune epitope presentation, and silencing of innate immune signaling; establishing mRNA production capabilities; and supporting projects from discovery through preclinical and IND-enabling studies. The role involves scientific and project leadership, communication with project teams and leadership, documentation, and collaboration in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Requirements

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field.
2–6+ years of biotech/pharma experience post-Ph.D., or equivalent industry experience for candidates with an M.S. or B.S.
Subject matter expertise in the design, production, and analytical characterization of mRNA for gene or antigen therapy.
Ability to identify, troubleshoot, and solve issues associated with complex materials.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Collaborative, accountable, and effective communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with RNA-driven innate immune activation.
Experience with in vitro cell culture and flow cytometry.
Hands-on experience producing and purifying IVT-produced mRNA.
Experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and/or characterization of mRNA-LNP drug products, including process scale-up.
Experience with IP-RP HPLC for analytical characterization.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize mRNA molecular components for antigen expression and presentation in immune cells and other tissue targets for systemic protein delivery.
Collaborate with preclinical biology and disease area teams to characterize construct designs and payloads for functional activity in in vitro and in vivo models.
Establish, optimize, and innovate scalable in vitro transcription (IVT) production and purification processes for discovery and therapeutic mRNA applications.
Contribute to analytical characterization methods for mRNA and mRNA-LNP drug product, with consideration for tech transfer to a CRO/CDMO.
Ensure the supply of in vivo-grade mRNA and mRNA-LNP product to the tolerance team and across Repertoire.
Design and maintain the external supply chain for research-grade plasmids used in IVT mRNA production.
Cross-train with the LNP team to support LNP production and characterization, including particle size, surface charge, and endotoxin testing.
Work with LNP and analytical teams to assess mRNA quality following formulation, including mRNA integrity and troubleshooting mRNA-lipid adduct formation.
Analyze, summarize, and communicate findings to team leadership and project teams.
Document work in an electronic lab notebook and author project summaries as needed.
Provide scientific, project, and laboratory leadership to junior scientific staff.
Lead by example in laboratory safety.