Scientist, Oligo Biology - In Vitro

Korsana Biosciences•Waltham, MA

3d•$115,000 - $140,000

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to join our Oligonucleotide Biology team within discovery/early research. Supported by strong financial backing and an expanding therapeutic pipeline, our company is entering a phase of steady, well-funded growth. This rapid scaling provides significant opportunities for professional advancement and career development as our internal teams expand. In this role, you will drive the design, in vitro screening, and optimization of our oligonucleotide pipeline, spanning multiple modalities including siRNA, ASOs, and PMOs. The ideal candidate will combine strong hands-on bench science with strategic external research management (CROs) to advance our therapeutic candidates from discovery toward lead nomination, playing a key role in shaping both our platform and your own professional trajectory.

Requirements

Ph.D. in biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related discipline with 0-3 years of relevant industry experience, OR M.S. with 2-5 years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutic development.
Deep understanding of siRNA and ASO design principles, cellular mechanisms of action, and chemical modification strategies.
Familiarity with state-of-the-art oligonucleotide delivery technologies, including GalNAc conjugates, lipid conjugates, peptide/antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), or other targeted delivery methods.
Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, diverse transfection methodologies.
Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate seamlessly across cross-functional teams and therapeutic areas.
Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, fast-paced, and highly interdisciplinary research environment.
Passion for advancing transformative nucleic acid medicines through innovative chemistry and rigorous scientific execution.

Responsibilities

Design molecular and cellular biology experiments in close collaboration with internal bioinformatics and chemistry teams to support robust in vitro and in vivo screening campaigns.
Oversee execution of these assays with CRO.
Manage external CROs, including experimental design, priority setting, technical oversight, data review, timeline management, and proactive troubleshooting to ensure high-quality, timely project execution.
Design and optimize siRNAs, ASOs, PMOs, and other novel nucleotide modalities to enhance therapeutic profiles.
Generate and interpret structure-activity relationships (SAR) to guide lead optimization and candidate selection.
Maintain thorough technical documentation using Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) and effectively communicate experimental strategies, results, and recommendations to multidisciplinary scientific audiences.
Actively evaluate emerging technologies and scientific literature to identify innovative approaches that enhance oligonucleotide potency, extrahepatic delivery, durability, and safety.