Associate/Senior Associate, Pioneering Intelligence

Position:

At Flagship Pioneering, we don’t wait for the future—we build it. Our origination model is like a startup foundry for breakthrough science and technology: we dream up bold ideas, pressure-test them fast, and launch entirely new ventures from scratch. Think of it as startup creation in extreme mode—where the whiteboard is blank, the questions are audacious, and the upside is industry-shaping.

As an Origination Associate, you’ll be part explorer, part builder. You’ll work with scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to uncover untapped frontiers, prototype concepts, and help design the first version of ventures that could scale globally. The work is fast-paced, creative, and deeply hands-on: you’ll be generating hypotheses, running sprints, and shaping the DNA of companies before they even exist.

You’ll be joining our AI & Tech focused origination team led by our Origination Partner Armen Mkrtchyan. We explore the intersection of AI with science, data, and real-world systems—whether that’s building new platforms for discovery, creating intelligent infrastructure, or reimagining how emerging technologies can unlock entirely new categories of ventures. This is a chance to sit at the cutting edge of both frontier science and frontier tech, helping craft the next generation of Flagship companies.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking builders and explorers who thrive in ambiguity, think critically about AI/ML, and spot opportunities others miss. Your background could be in physics, engineering, computer science, biology, or another technical field—what matters is curiosity, creativity, and the drive to turn bold ideas into reality. You’re excited not just to invent products, but to help create entirely new companies from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Explore white spaces: Identify and investigate emerging frontiers in AI, computation, and technology that could unlock entirely new markets and industries
• Hypothesize & stress-test: Generate bold venture hypotheses, run rapid experiments (conceptual, computational, or prototype-driven), and rigorously pressure-test assumptions
• Design venture blueprints: Help translate early-stage concepts into venture designs—including technical thesis, product architecture, and potential go-to-market approaches
• Shape new companies: Contribute directly to the conception and launch of high-potential ventures, with a hands-on role in their earliest stages.
• Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with scientists, engineers, product thinkers, and entrepreneurs to fuse technical insights with market potential
• Synthesize insights: Translate complex technical trends into clear, actionable insights for Flagship’s venture creation process
• Push the frontier: Stay ahead of emerging AI and tech advances, bringing creativity and critical thinking to areas others overlook

Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent experience) in a technical, scientific, or quantitative field — e.g., computer science, engineering, physics, math, chemistry, biology, or related disciplines. We welcome diverse academic backgrounds that bring new ways of thinking
• 2+ years of experience in research, technology, startups, or other environments that demand both analytical rigor and creative problem-solving
• Demonstrated ability to build or develop technically challenging projects—whether in academia, industry, or entrepreneurial settings
• Solid conceptual and practical understanding of modern AI/ML methods (e.g., large language models, diffusion models, reinforcement learning, causal inference) and the ability to think critically about their applications, limitations, and potential
• Comfort working across disciplines and rapidly learning unfamiliar technical domains
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling written narratives and presentations
• Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving, entrepreneurial contexts; able to prioritize, pivot, and push forward without a playbook
• Genuine passion for innovation, venture creation, and exploring uncharted technological spaces

What We Offer: 

• Make an impact as part of a Fortune “Change the World” company
• Surround yourself with inspirational colleagues and leaders
• A dynamic and innovative work environment, with an exciting startup culture as well as the full support and expertise from Flagship ecosystem
• A platform to grow, le