(Senior) Scientist, Lipid and Polymer Science

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.•Cambridge, MA

12d•$100,000 - $160,000

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist specializing in the design, synthesis, and characterization of lipids, polymers, and functional materials to support the development of next-generation protein sequencing platforms and products. The successful candidate will apply strong chemical intuition, experimental rigor, and materials science expertise to create and optimize novel molecular and macromolecular systems with defined structure–function relationships. This role involves close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team spanning chemistry, biology, engineering, and nanopore sciences.

Requirements

PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 0-5 years of industry experience
Demonstrated experience with organic synthesis and polymer synthesis
Strong understanding of lipid chemistry and analysis
Proficiency in analytical and characterization techniques (e.g., NMR, MS, GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, DLS, rheology)
Experience designing experiments independently and interpreting complex datasets
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced research environment
Collaborative mindset with a strong sense of scientific ownership

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of polymer architectures and material structure–function relationships
Experience with multiple types of polymerization initiation such as photo-initiated polymerization
Experience working with biomolecules and protein chemistry

Responsibilities

Design, synthesize, and optimize novel lipids, polymers, and functional materials for research and product development applications
Develop and execute synthetic routes for small molecules, oligomers, and polymers, including scale-up considerations
Evaluate lipid membrane and material functionality in nanopore-based assays and devices
Perform materials characterization, including: NMR, LC-MS, GPC/SEC DSC, TGA, DLS, rheology, and surface analysis (as applicable)
Establish structure–property relationships to guide iterative material design
Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and optimize reaction conditions for yield, purity, and reproducibility
Work with and/or manage projects with CROs
Maintain detailed experimental documentation and data integrity