Senior Associate, Origination - Agriculture and Sustainability

Flagship Pioneering•Cambridge, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Flagship Pioneering is seeking a Senior Associate to help originate and build new science-based companies as part of Flagship’s Pioneering Abundance initiative. This initiative aims to shift the global paradigm from extracting finite resources to expanding the world’s essential resource base by connecting and scaling proven scientific and technology platforms across agriculture, essential elements, energy, and foundational AI. The role involves exploring emerging areas of biology and technology, developing venture hypotheses, designing experiments, and translating ideas into new companies. It sits at the intersection of science, strategy, and company creation, requiring close collaboration with Principals or Partners and the Flagship ecosystem. The Senior Associate will contribute to the full origination journey, including scientific exploration, IP strategy, recruiting, company planning, and early team leadership. A successful candidate will become an expert in the company's foundational science, articulate strategy, and lead operationalization. Senior Associates are expected to independently lead workstreams and mentor team members. This role can be based in Cambridge, MA or Research Triangle Park, NC.

Requirements

PhD from a top university with expertise in plant biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, biochemistry or genetics.
At least 4 years of relevant experience beyond doctoral training, or an equivalent record of progressively responsible work and demonstrated independent leadership.
Passion for novel science and operational savviness.
Knowledge and understanding of cropping systems and agricultural product development.
Understanding of the agricultural value chain and agribusiness structures.
Proven ability to rapidly become conversant in new areas of plant science and agronomy and be capable of engaging thought leaders at the deepest level of technological understanding.
Ability to define a clear and compelling value proposition of a given scientific opportunity and effectively and cogently communicate that to technical and non-technical audiences.
Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize & communicate complex information rapidly and effectively.
Obsession with mastering the details without losing sight of the big picture.
Energetic self-starter with strong presence and the ability to work effectively in an entrepreneurial environment.
Excellent intellectual agility to rapidly context-switch across projects.
Open, transparent communication style and demonstrated willingness to engage in difficult conversations in a professional and productive manner.
Passion for growth and development, with clear demonstration of openness to both giving and receiving feedback and track record of acting on feedback.
Able to work effectively and pleasantly in teams with demonstrated abilities to lead and manage.
Unmatched sense of urgency with willingness to go the extra mile to drive success.

Nice To Haves

Start-up or entrepreneurial activities.

Responsibilities

Contribute to and lead Flagship explorations to rapidly assess interesting areas of science and develop novel, actionable and high-value venture hypotheses to improve sustainability, productivity and profitability of growers.
Outline key scientific questions to enable venture hypotheses and develop experimental plans to rapidly create value and pressure test ideas.
Identify, build, and maintain relationships with appropriate academic KOLs and thought experts, introducing them to the Flagship model, getting early buy-in, vetting/validation and de-risking key concepts of venture hypotheses.
Understand IP landscape, formulate initial strategy, and write seminal applications for the technology and company. Assess patentability of existing IP landscape, including of key competitors and of potentially licensable estate.
Develop corporate strategy and operations plan for the company. Define value creation, identify application spaces, build out organizational chart, define company goals, timelines and resourcing and identify strategic inflection points to set the company on the path to rapid growth and success.
Develop audience-specific pitches for company.
Support business development activities and continue to evolve the story.
Manage and coordinate early scientific and IP employees. Source, recruit and manage KOLs and early-stage employees as well as relationships with CROs.
Manage & lead scientific team (internal or external) and daily research.
Manage operational tasks, including establishing lab facilities, purchasing, HR, real estate acquisition, etc.
Become an institutional subject matter expert and transfer knowledge to active company team.
Stay up to date on the literature, conferences, funding opportunities, and new developments.
Work closely with and leverage Flagship operations teams (Finance, IP, IT, HR, and Talent) for maximal operational excellence.