Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, LNP Platform

Position Summary:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking Research Associate to join the Non-Viral Delivery team at Orbital. The successful candidate will support activities associated with formulation and characterization of LNPs and other non-viral delivery vehicles loaded with complex nucleic acid cargos. This individual will develop, manufacture, and characterize high-quality materials for key in vitro and in vivo studies in support of a variety of therapeutic applications. This individual will also partner with Automation and Data Science teams to develop high-throughput laboratory protocols and solutions for data capture. Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills are essential. The successful applicant will be a team player able to function in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment. 

Responsibilities:

• Execute protocols for preparation and characterization of LNPs and other non-viral delivery vehicles loaded with complex nucleic acid cargos for in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Develop and optimize formulation compositions and processes to achieve efficient delivery to a variety of cell and tissue types.
• Design and conduct experiments to elucidate formulation structure-activity relationships and maximize efficacy around physicochemical properties, in vitro transfection, and in vivo administration.
• Collaborate across the Orbital ecosystem to deploy high-throughput assays and advanced characterization techniques to assess formulation safety, stability, structure, and function.
• Interface with the Automation and Data Science teams to establish and optimize efficient workflows for laboratory SOPs and data capture.
• Coordinate sample preparation and shipment with internal and external collaborators.
• Maintain an accurate and detailed laboratory notebook as well as record of experiments.
• Aid in interpretation and communication of results and actively participate in scientific discussions and group meetings.

Qualifications:

• B.S .or M.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical engineering, Bioengineering or related field.
• 2-4+ years of industry experience is required.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoparticle formulations in an industry environment is required.
• Working knowledge of current methods for non-viral delivery of nucleic acids (mRNA, RNAi, etc.) including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), liposomes, and/or polymeric nanoparticles.
• Familiarity with the theory and practice of controlled mixing, buffer preparation and exchange (including tangential flow filtration), and sterile filtration.
• Proficiency in formulation analytics (DLS, zeta potential, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry, HPLC, etc.).
• Prior experience with DoE and statistical software such as JMP is preferred.
• Outstanding intrapersonal skills and established cross-functional working habits.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Organized, detail-oriented, self-starter who takes initiative to seek improvements.