Senior Associate Scientist, In Vitro Biology and Mechanism of Action

Job Title: Senior Associate Scientist, In Vitro Biology and Mechanism of Action

• Location: Waltham, MA

About the Job

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the In vitro biology and mechanism of action team within the mRNA center for Excellence to support the advancement of our RNA vaccine platform. As a Senior Associate Scientist, you will be designing and executing experiments to understand the mechanism of RNA therapeutics and vaccines for the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases.

We are an innovative global healthcare company that helps the world stay ahead of infectious diseases by delivering more than 500 million vaccine doses a year. Across different countries, our talented teams are exploring new technologies to protect people and promote healthy communities. We chase the miracles of science every single day, pursuing progress to make a real impact on millions of patients around the world.​

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization.

About Sanofi:

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead from the bench to support the pre-clinical research of Sanofi’s next generation RNA platform and support programs by designing and executing experiments targeted toward elucidating the mechanism of action for RNA vaccines and therapeutics

• Perform cell transfection with RNA and LNP formulations to determine efficacy and protein expression using immunofluorescence, live imaging, and reporter assays

• Utilize and adapt to a variety of lab techniques such as RT-qPCR, Flow cytometry, western blot, and ELISA to generate high-quality data to support the RNA platform and programs

• Maintain both immortalized and primary cell cultures for downstream protein expression and NGS analysis

• Conduct decision-quality research, organize, analyze and interpret data, summarize results and prepare technical reports.

• Prepare scientific presentations and report project progress at internal team meetings and scientific research forums

• Work in a highly collaborative team to drive overall group objectives forward

• Assume additional responsibilities as assigned. 

About You:

Basic Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's OR Master's degree in biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, life sciences or related fields

​Experience:

• Bachelor's holders: Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry, academic or research experience

• Master's holders: Minimum of 1 year of relevant industry, academic or research experience

• Hands-on background in cell culture

• Experience with imaging techniques and microscopy

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with nucleic acid modalities such as mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, or gene editing

• Familiarity with additional lab techniques such as gene expression analysis, protein detection methods, and flow cytometry

• Prior experience in a biopharma or biotech company setting

• Desire to learn new techniques and scientific concepts to follow the research as it progresses

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to convey key experimental findings to internal stakeholders

• Well organized with a curious mindset and extreme attention to detail. Strong desire to make an impact

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional, demanding work environment without compromising quality. Understand the sense of urgency and respect project timelines

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards p