Scientist / Sr. Scientist, Research

Visterra•Waltham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist / Senior Scientist to be a founding member of our Nucleic Acid Therapeutics team with a focus on antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNAs, and antibody oligo conjugates (AOCs). This is a rare opportunity to join a new team within our growing and expanding Research department that is building a high-impact technology, with the latitude to shape both the science and the team culture from day one. Reporting to the Research Director, this role will work at the intersection of oligonucleotide therapeutics and targeted delivery. You will be responsible for designing and screening ASO and siRNA candidates, developing conjugation strategies, collaborating across internal teams and external partners, and establishing the technology platform from discovery through preclinical proof of concept. The right candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and bring best-in-class nucleic acid therapeutics capabilities to Visterra.

Requirements

PhD. with 2+ years of relevant industry experience; BS candidates considered with 10+ years of relevant industry experience
Hands-on bench experience designing and screening ASOs and/or siRNAs
Experience with bioconjugation techniques and linker chemistry
Experience with cell-based in vitro assays for evaluating oligonucleotide activity and with molecular quantification methods (e.g., qPCR, ddPCR, and NGS)
Strong written and oral communication skills; able to present complex scientific data clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Effective cross-functional collaborator, comfortable working across molecular biology, computational, and in vivo teams
Proven ability to manage projects independently, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines
Comfortable negotiating with and managing external CRO and vendor relationships
Creative problem-solver who brings new approaches to ambiguous scientific challenges
Ability to mentor and develop junior team members (research associates, interns)

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates is a strong plus

Responsibilities

Design and execute screening campaigns for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and/or siRNAs, including sequence design, chemistry selection, and hit identification
Develop, optimize, and characterize antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), including linker chemistry and conjugation strategy
Collaborate closely with the broader research team to generate and evaluate AOC candidates
Establish and apply cell-based in vitro models to assess oligonucleotide activity and intracellular delivery
Quantify oligonucleotide efficacy and mechanism using molecular readouts including qPCR, ddPCR, and NGS
Close collaboration with computational biologists to inform oligonucleotide design and interpret screening data
Direct, design and interpret animal studies supporting AOC development
Work with leadership to set priorities, track milestones, and communicate progress
Lead relationships with CROs and vendors, including scope, timelines, and data review
Identify and onboard new equipment and external partners as platform needs evolve
Present experimental data and platform progress clearly to internal stakeholders and leadership
Contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture as a founding member of the AOC group within Research
Supervise and mentor research associates and interns as the team grows, providing scientific guidance and fostering professional development
A limited amount of travel may be required for CRO site visits, vendor meetings, and scientific conferences

Benefits

A 401(k) retirement plan with a 10% dollar-for-dollar match.
Medical, dental and vision benefits, with Visterra contributing 80% to the monthly premium.
A rich mental & behavioral wellness program.
Short- and long-term disability programs.
Group and voluntary life insurance.
Pre-tax flexible spending and commuter accounts.
17 days of personal time, discretionary sick time, and 11 holidays per calendar year. Personal time accrual grows to 22 days after 3 years, with an additional one-time grants of 5 days every 5 years.
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption.
A broad fitness reimbursement program.
Tuition and student loan reimbursement.
A variety of employee discounts.