Associate Scientist II, MSAT

Strand Therapeutics
Boston, MA

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with a background in RNA and LNP manufacturing and comfortable with cross-functional collaboration and strategic thinking in a small, fast-paced team.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with prior experience in RNA and LNP manufacturing for gene therapies
    — “experience supporting preclinical and clinical-stage manufacturing processes within the gene and/or cell therapies space”
  • Individuals who thrive in small, high-impact teams with entrepreneurial energy
    — “small but extremely productive team”
  • Candidates with a track record of authoring detailed technical protocols and reports
    — “Author technical protocols and reports documenting experimental procedures, results, and conclusions.”

Things to consider

  • Commitment to working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial biotech environment is expected
    — “fast-paced, entrepreneurial, team-focused small company environment”
  • This role likely requires a hands-on approach due to lab-scale production responsibilities
    — “Perform lab-scale RNA and lipid nanoparticle production and analytical testing”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with RNA and LNP production and analytical testing in your resume
    — “hands-on experience with RNA and/or LNP production processes and respective standard analytical methods”
  • Highlight your ability to troubleshoot and optimize manufacturing processes
    — “troubleshoot technology transfer and manufacturing challenges, improve process robustness”
  • Demonstrate your capability to work in cross-functional teams during interviews
    — “Collaborate with Process Development, Analytical Development, Automation, and Quality teams”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Support preclinical and clinical-stage manufacturing processes
  • Perform lab-scale RNA and LNP production
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams
Typical background
B.S. or Advanced Degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field2+ years of working experience in RNA and/or LNP process improvement, manufacturing and/or optimization

Skills & requirements

Required

RNA And Lipid Nanoparticle ProductionAnalytical TestingProcess ImprovementTroubleshootingProcess Scale-upTechnical Protocol AuthoringReport DocumentationCollaboration With Process Development, Analytical Development, Automation, And Quality Teams

Preferred

Process DevelopmentScale-upTechnology TransferManufacturing Support

Stack & domain

RNA And Lipid Nanoparticle ProductionAnalytical TestingProcess ImprovementsTroubleshooting Technology TransferManufacturing ChallengesProcess RobustnessProcess Scale-upTechnical ProtocolsReportsExperimental ProceduresResultsConclusionsProcess DevelopmentAnalytical DevelopmentAutomationQualityExternal Technical CounterpartsTech TransferManufacturing ActivitiesStrategic ThinkingLeadership PresenceEnthusiasmDesire To Conquer New ChallengesMatrix-based EnvironmentFuture Strategy ContributionHighly Contributing MemberSmall But Extremely Productive TeamEnthusiasm And MotivationPreclinical And Clinical-stage Manufacturing ProcessesGene And/or Cell TherapiesRNA And/or LNP Process ImprovementManufacturing And/or OptimizationBiotechExperimental Data CollectionAnalysisInterpretationProcess Performance EvaluationTechnical Conclusions SupportScale-upTechnology TransferManufacturing Support

About the role

Original posting from Strand Therapeutics via Greenhouse

Company Overview:

Strand Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering programmable mRNA therapeutics to unlock the full potential of genetic medicines. Strand is applying its proprietary Signal Stack platform, which integrates EverScript circular RNA, AmpliScript self-replicating RNA, SignalPath targeted delivery, and logic-driven SignalLock genetic circuits to enable precise control of therapeutic activity across tissues and cell types and overcome foundational limitations in targeting, durability, and safety.

Strand is advancing a pipeline with an initial focus on oncology and autoimmune disease. Its initial program, STX-001, an intratumorally delivered LNP-encapsulated self-replicating RNA expressing IL-12, has demonstrated preliminary evidence of systemic immune activation and anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors who have progressed on prior therapies. Building on this early clinical validation, intravenously delivered STX-003 is designed for tumor-targeted expression and avoidance of off-target expression. STX-003, which is expected to enter the clinic in mid-2026, has the potential to be a major step forward for the fields of genetic medicine and oncology. Strand is also advancing STX-005, an in vivo CAR-T program designed to enable controlled, durable expression and repeat dosing. Founded by MIT synthetic biology pioneers, Strand has raised over $250 million and is headquartered in Boston, MA. 

Become the next standout single strand!

Job Summary:

Strand is looking for people who have the enthusiasm and motivation to be a highly contributing member of a small but extremely productive team. This opportunity will offer the employee the ability to work in a matrix-based environment and be a part of the future strategy of the company.

We are looking for a highly motivated and innovative candidate for the role of Associate Scientist II of MSAT. The expectation is that the Associate Scientist II will have experience prior supporting preclinical and clinical-stage manufacturing processes within the gene and/or cell therapies space. Reporting to the Senior Scientist of MSAT, the right candidate will be a strategic thinker that brings a leadership presence and enthusiasm for Strand along with a desire to conquer new challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

Support the execution, continuous improvement, and maturation of Strand’s preclinical and clinical-stage manufacturing processes.

Perform lab-scale RNA and lipid nanoparticle production and analytical testing to evaluate process improvements, troubleshoot technology transfer and manufacturing challenges, improve process robustness, and support process scale-up.

Author technical protocols and reports documenting experimental procedures, results, and conclusions.

Collaborate with Process Development, Analytical Development, Automation, and Quality teams to advance Strand’s manufacturing programs.

Partner with external technical counterparts to support ongoing tech transfer and manufacturing activities.

Qualifications:

B.S. or Advanced Degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field, with 2+ years of working experience in RNA and/or LNP process improvement, manufacturing and/or optimization at a biotech.

Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data to evaluate process performance and support technical conclusions.

Experience with process development, scale-up, technology transfer, manufacturing support, and process troubleshooting. Experience contributing to process characterization or later-stage development activities is a plus.

Experience optimizing and troubleshooting enzymatic reactions, chromatographic purification, TFF, and other filtration methods for biologics.

Familiarity with ÄKTA systems and UNICORN control software is preferred.

Hands-on experience with RNA and/or LNP production processes and respective standard analytical methods (UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Gel Electrophoresis, ELISA, DLS, RiboGreen, etc.) strongly preferred.

Strong technical documentation and communication skills. Ability to generate and maintain clear and detailed laboratory records, and present experimental designs, data interpretation, and conclusions to cross-functional groups.

Strand offers a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, team-focused small company environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, open PTO, onsite lunch catering, commuter support and more) and work/life flexibility and integration. Being part of the Strand team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to meet Strand’s goals. 

Strand Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable law. Strand does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $81,000 - $89,000 annually plus bonus and equity incentives

Pay Transparency Base Salary Range$81,000—$89,000 USD

Source: Strand Therapeutics careers (Greenhouse)

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