Senior Research Scientist

Addgene•Watertown, MA

7d•$97,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Scientist will directly support Addgene’s mission to improve access to useful research materials and information by contributing to the organization’s strategic priorities. This role will proactively identify opportunities to sustain current offerings through internal process improvements. They will grow Addgene’s catalog by supporting the development of new catalog offerings. By staying informed of emerging technologies and engaging with both external scientists and internal teams, the Senior Research Scientist will collaborate with the Director of Research and Product Innovation to identify areas where Addgene can lead the scientific community by developing new or enhanced biological tools for the basic research community. The Role: The Senior Research Scientist will lead and oversee research projects spanning molecular biology, sequencing, and biologics production and quality control. This individual will bring a versatile scientific background that enables the team to adapt and execute across a range of current and emerging research priorities. They will design and analyze experiments, optimize laboratory processes, mentor junior scientists, and ensure high-quality, reproducible results while staying informed of scientific advancements across multiple disciplines.

Requirements

PhD in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry or related field
6+ years of experience in laboratory research and scientific experimentation
Hands-on proficiency in molecular biology techniques (cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction digestion, etc.)
Experience with mammalian cell culture, including transient transfection and stable cell line generation
Working knowledge of sequencing technologies and their application to QC and validation
Experience with purification of viral vectors and/or recombinant protein biologics, including chromatography platforms and analytical methods
Strong leadership and mentorship skills
Experience writing or contributing to SOPs, technical reports, or regulatory documentation
Inquisitive, enthusiastic problem-solver with a collaborative mindset
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Comfort serving as PI or co-PI on funded research

Nice To Haves

Experience across multiple expression and production platforms (viral vectors and protein biologics)
Experience drafting and submitting grant proposals and a track record of securing external funding
Familiar with basic statistics and data analysis software
Familiarity with Design of Experiment approaches
Excellent communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and analyze experiments across multiple technical domains, ensuring high standards of quality, accuracy, and reproducibility.
Lead specific research projects to ensure optimal resource utilization, adherence to deadlines and deliverables, high-quality experimentation, and effective communication of results.
Apply expertise in molecular biology techniques including cloning, gene editing, plasmid construction, and nucleic acid analysis to support catalog development and internal workflows.
Develop, maintain, and characterize mammalian cell lines for both transient and stable expression applications, including selection, banking, and quality assessment.
Design and execute experiments using transient and stable mammalian expression systems to produce and validate biological materials.
Contribute to sequencing workflows, including Sanger, NGS, or nanopore technologies
Execute and optimize downstream purification processes for viral vectors (e.g., AAV, lentivirus) and/or protein-based biologics (e.g., antibodies), including chromatography, ultracentrifugation, and analytical characterization.
Collaborate effectively across teams to align scientific priorities with organizational goals and drive cross-functional projects from initiation through completion.
Identify relevant funding opportunities and lead the drafting, submission, and management of grant proposals, serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI on funded research programs as appropriate.
Act as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for junior scientists, offering guidance and support on experimental design, troubleshooting, and scientific techniques.
Review and assess current processes and procedures, identifying areas for optimization and implementing improvements to enhance quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
Actively contribute to team discussions in biweekly meetings, providing updates, addressing challenges, and suggesting process improvements.
Maintain strict adherence to established protocols and continuously seek opportunities to enhance workflows.
Provide hands-on training and mentorship to junior scientists, helping them develop expertise in laboratory protocols and procedures.
Create and continually review team standard operating procedures.
Identify and troubleshoot experimental issues, develop and test solutions.
Stay up-to-date with the latest scientific trends and technologies, applying new knowledge to improve laboratory practices

Benefits

85% company-paid healthcare premiums including dental (extending to family members) and 100% company-paid deductible
Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
22 days of PTO on top of our winter break closure and company holidays.
A 403(b) retirement account with a company match of 4% after 2 years of employment.
Annual professional development stipend
Annual lifestyle stipend
Fully paid public transportation for employees who work onsite four or more days per week.
Onsite yoga classes & wellness reimbursement
Pet insurance
Annual financial planning one-on-ones with our plan administrator