Senior Research Associate, Chemical Biology

Flagship Pioneering • Cambridge, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

FL116, an early-stage biotechnology company backed by Flagship Pioneering, is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and intellectually curious Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to join their Chemical Biology team. This role focuses on applying chemistry to solve complex biological problems, specifically interrogating and controlling enzyme-driven biomolecular synthesis through a mechanistic and molecular lens. The successful candidate will execute high-throughput experiments to probe enzyme–substrate interactions, characterize biomolecule products, and contribute to the development of robust, scalable assays. This is an exciting opportunity to build deep expertise at the interface of chemistry and biology within a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment, ideal for a hands-on experimentalist who thrives in execution-focused, pipeline-driven work.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related discipline with a strong foundation in chemical principles applied to biological systems
• 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience (industry or academic)
• Hands-on experience applying chemistry to biological systems, including enzymatic assays, biomolecule manipulation, or reaction-based workflows
• Strong foundation in protein chemistry, enzymology, or biomolecular interactions
• Proficiency in core laboratory techniques including pipetting, gel electrophoresis, and quantitative assay execution
• Demonstrated ability to generate high-quality, reproducible data and perform rigorous data analysis
• Experience working in fast-paced, collaborative laboratory environments

Nice To Haves

• Experience with analytical and separation techniques such as HPLC, capillary electrophoresis, TLC, or plate-based detection systems
• Exposure to bioorthogonal chemistry, chemical modification of biomolecules, or mechanistic enzymology
• Familiarity with nucleic acid or protein characterization platforms (e.g., TapeStation or similar technologies)
• Experience contributing to assay development, optimization, or high-throughput workflows
• Experience preparing samples for NMR
• Familiarity with automation platforms for high throughput screening

Responsibilities

• Execute high-throughput experiments to characterize enzyme–substrate and enzyme–product interactions, with a focus on understanding underlying chemical mechanisms
• Apply chemical principles to modulate and interrogate protein function, reactivity, and biomolecular synthesis pathways
• Perform biomolecular product characterization using analytical and separation techniques (e.g., gel electrophoresis, TapeStation, HPLC, plate-based assays)
• Support the development, optimization, and scaling of biochemical and enzymatic assays with an emphasis on quantitative, reproducible readouts
• Generate, analyze, and interpret experimental datasets to extract mechanistic insight and inform pipeline progression
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Enzyme Science and Assay Development, to integrate chemical insight into broader platform workflows
• Maintain rigorous experimental documentation and contribute to protocol development and knowledge sharing across the team

Benefits

• healthcare coverage
• annual incentive program
• retirement benefits
• a broad range of other benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees