Senior Scientist, LNP Formulations

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.•Cambridge, MA

16h•$100,000 - $143,000

About The Position

FL87, Inc. is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases. It was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 100 groundbreaking companies over the past twenty years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB), Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Tx, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture. We are seeking a highly experienced Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Formulation Senior Scientist to lead the design, execution, and interpretation of advanced Design of Experiments (DOE) strategies to drive innovation in next-generation LNP formulations. This role will play a central role in shaping formulation and delivery strategies for nucleic acid therapeutics within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The successful candidate will not only develop, optimize, and characterize LNP systems, but also lead the design and establishment of a high-throughput LNP screening platform spanning in vitro systems and small and large animal models. This includes defining experimental frameworks, selecting and implementing appropriate assays, and building scalable workflows to accelerate candidate evaluation and selection. As a senior scientific contributor, this individual will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence, influence cross-functional program direction, and identify innovative solutions to advance platform capabilities. The role also includes mentoring junior scientists and contributing to the broader scientific strategy through internal leadership and external scientific engagement.

Requirements

PhD or MS in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field and 5+ years of industry experience
Proven track record of independently leading research projects and delivering impactful results.
Demonstrated experience in nanoparticle/LNP design, screening, and in vivo evaluation, preferably including large animal models.
Strong understanding of experimental design, statistics, and data interpretation.
Evidence of scientific leadership (e.g., mentoring, leading collaborations, publications, patents).
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strong hands-on experience with LNP formulations, including formulation development and optimization

Nice To Haves

Experience in developing or scaling high-throughput screening platforms is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Drive the development, optimization, and implementation of a high-throughput LNP screening platform across small and large animal models, including experimental design, assay selection, and data analysis pipelines.
Independently define scientific strategies and experimental roadmaps aligned with program goals.
Serve as a scientific lead for one or more programs, influencing cross-functional decisions across biology, formulation, and translational teams.
Identify technical gaps and proactively propose innovative solutions to improve platform capabilities and throughput.
Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building a strong, collaborative scientific culture.
Communicate findings clearly to internal stakeholders and external partners; contribute to publications, patents, and regulatory documentation.
Stay at the forefront of LNP delivery technologies and emerging screening methodologies, integrating new approaches where appropriate.