Senior Scientist – Vector Development

Weill Cornell Medical College•New York, NY

2d•$95,500 - $112,900•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated Senior Scientist with deep expertise in viral and non-viral vector and genetic construct design to drive next-generation gene delivery strategies in a fast-paced, collaborative, and delivery-focused clinical translation research environment. This role will lead the design of lentiviral vectors, transposon-based architectures, and mRNA-based delivery systems, for applications spanning functional genomics, cell engineering, and therapeutic development. The ideal candidate combines rigorous academic training with a practical engineering mindset, capable of translating biological objectives into high-performance genetic constructs.

Requirements

PhD in Molecular Biology, Virology, Genetic Engineering, Synthetic Biology, or related field.
5 years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience in gene delivery systems or advanced molecular cloning.
Proven track record of designing and implementing complex genetic constructs.
Deep knowledge of lentiviral vector biology and design, including multi-plasmid systems and safety features.
Expertise in plasmid architecture, including promoters (e.g., EF1α, CMV, CAG), enhancers, insulators, and post-transcriptional regulatory elements.
Experience designing mRNA constructs for transient expression and delivery optimization.
Strong understanding of transposon systems and stable integration strategies.
Proficiency with DNA design software and sequence analysis tools (e.g., SnapGene, Benchling, Geneious).
Familiarity with gene expression tuning, including codon optimization, RNA stability, and translational efficiency.
Ability to interpret NGS and Sanger sequencing data for construct validation.
Engineering-driven approach to biological problem solving
High attention to detail in sequence-level design
Ability to balance innovation with practical constraints
Strong communication skills across scientific disciplines
Self-directed with a bias toward execution in a fast-moving environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with CRISPR/Cas systems, including multiplexed guide RNA architectures and delivery strategies.
Background in cell therapy, gene therapy, or genome engineering applications.
Familiarity with non-viral delivery systems (e.g., LNPs for mRNA).
Exposure to scale-up considerations and translational/regulatory frameworks.
Experience working in highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environments.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and optimize plasmid constructs for lentiviral vector systems, including transfer, packaging, and envelope components.
Engineer self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral backbones, optimizing key elements such as LTRs, ψ (psi) packaging signal, RRE, cPPT/CTS, and WPRE.
Design and implement optimized transposon-based systems including donor vector architecture (ITRs/TIRs), cargo optimization, and transposase delivery strategies.
Architect expression systems with precise control over gene expression (constitutive, inducible, cell-type specific, or multiplexed designs).
Evaluate constraints such as payload size, recombination risk, silencing, and integration profiles across delivery platforms.
Develop and refine mRNA delivery constructs, including optimization of UTRs, codon usage, modified nucleotides, cap structures, and poly(A) tail configurations for enhanced stability and translation.
Collaborate closely with teams focused on vector production, cell engineering, and functional validation to iterate on construct design.
Analyze construct performance using sequencing, expression data, and functional assays; troubleshoot inefficiencies in packaging, delivery or expression.
Maintain comprehensive design documentation, sequence maps, and construct libraries.
Contribute to strategic direction by evaluating emerging delivery modalities and synthetic biology approaches.