Etiome: Translational Biology / Target Validation Co-Op

Flagship Pioneering Co-Op Program • Cambridge, MA

7d • $25 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

Etiome, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company using its Temporal Biodynamics platform to identify novel drug targets and enable biomarkers for chronic and progressive diseases. Etiome was founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine.

Etiome is seeking a motivated graduate-level Co-op student to join its Biology team and experimentally validate novel therapeutic targets identified through the Temporal Biodynamics platform. The student will work with scientists to develop and execute disease-relevant in vitro assays, evaluate therapeutic hypotheses, and generate mechanistic data supporting target validation and drug discovery. The role offers hands-on experience at the intersection of human disease biology, functional genomics, translational biology, and drug discovery.

This opportunity is exclusively for current Northeastern University Co-op students. The work period is January 2027 through June 2027. It is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with five days in the office. The role is a short-term engagement and is not eligible for health and welfare benefits; retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours. The pay range is $25–$35 per hour.

The co-op will offer experience translating human biological datasets into therapeutic hypotheses and drug targets, participating in target validation from experimental design through interpretation and decision-making, working with experienced scientists in a multidisciplinary biotechnology environment, presenting and discussing results, and learning how therapeutic targets are advanced or deprioritized. Strong co-ops may be considered for future opportunities across Flagship and its portfolio companies.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or master's program in Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology, with hands-on laboratory research or prior co-op experience.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: qPCR, RNA/DNA isolation, ELISA or other immunoassays, Western blotting, cell-based functional assays, microscopy, or quantitative imaging.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experiments and critically evaluate experimental results.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to rigorous, reproducible experimental work.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Must be a current Northeastern University Co-op student.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with primary human cells.
• Previous research experience in disease biology, functional genomics, target validation, or drug discovery.
• Experience with gene-perturbation approaches such as siRNA, CRISPR, or related technologies.
• Experience developing or optimizing cell-based assays.
• Experience working with cell culture.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute disease-relevant cell-based experiments to evaluate novel therapeutic targets and biological hypotheses.
• Perform mammalian cell culture using established cell lines and/or primary human cells, including cell maintenance, experimental treatment, perturbation, and sample collection.
• Support functional target validation, potentially including gene knockdown or other target-perturbation approaches.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot in vitro assays and experimental conditions to model disease-relevant biological processes.
• Perform molecular and cellular biology techniques, including RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, qPCR, ELISA, and MSD-based immunoassays.
• Perform additional biochemical or imaging-based assays as project needs require.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results using appropriate quantitative approaches and relate findings to the underlying biological hypothesis.
• Conduct literature reviews to support experimental design, pathway analysis, target biology, and interpretation of results.
• Integrate results across multiple experimental readouts to help determine whether targets meet predefined validation criteria.
• Maintain detailed and accurate experimental records in electronic laboratory notebooks and organize datasets for downstream analysis.
• Present experimental results and conclusions during Biology team and project meetings.

Benefits

• Co-op enrichment sessions, a dedicated professional development track, and a mentor through the Flagship Pioneering Co-Op Program.
• Opportunity to be considered for future opportunities across Flagship and its portfolio companies.
• Compensation of $25–$35 per hour.
• Retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed