Laronde Director of Molecular Biology

Company Summary:

Laronde is pioneering a platform that offers a completely novel way of modulating human biology via Endless RNA™ (eRNA). eRNA is a uniquely engineered RNA that can be programmed to express diverse proteins inside the body. Laronde is rapidly scaling to support the development of multiple programs across many disease areas. ​

Laronde was founded in 2017 by Flagship Labs, the innovation foundry of Flagship Pioneering. Laronde has a highly collaborative, dedicated culture, driven to achieve our vision of “making eRNA an essential class of medicines to everyone, everywhere”. To learn more, please visit the company’s website at https://www.laronde.bio.

Position Summary: 

Laronde is seeking a Director, Molecular Biology to join a multidisciplinary team of experimental and computational biologists and engineers responsible for the design, study, and optimization of endless RNA (eRNA) therapeutics. The ideal candidate will lead experimental efforts to characterize eRNA sequence-structure-function in vitro, in cells and in vivo using high-throughput screening, structural analysis, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. If you are a passionate and purposeful scientist keen on leading and learning from some of the best synthetic biologists and engineers while getting to work with complex multidimensional data sets, then we are looking for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead an interdisciplinary team of molecular and structural biologists to interrogate the sequence-structure-function relationship of eRNA in vitro, in cells and in vivo using high throughput technologies.
• Drive NGS-based studies including high diversity pooled library screens, SHAPE-based structural interrogation, and bulk and single cell RNA sequencing.
• Work effectively with Computational Biology, Discovery Biology, Biodistribution, and Manufacturing teams to drive discovery and development efforts
• Supervise optimization of novel chemical probing methods to interrogate eRNA structural features in a variety of contexts and to understand eRNA sequence-structure-function relationships
• Provide leadership and mentor experimental scientists
• Maintain scientific and technical expertise through familiarity with scientific literature and conference attendance
• Work closely within an entrepreneurial, highly-collaborative, interdisciplinary, and fast-paced environment and willingness to change the status quo

Qualifications:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a related field with 15+ years of experience in industry and academia
• Strong expertise in high diversity screening approaches, NGS library preparation, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis
• Expertise in RNA biochemistry and RNA structural biology including chemical probing (e.g., SHAPE-MaP)
• Experience with mammalian cell lines and primary cells
• Drug discovery experience in the field of RNA therapeutics within industry
• Peer-reviewed publications that can showcase your skills
• Demonstrated ability in working with highly skilled teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and technical environment
• Excellent communication, scientific writing, and presentation skills

Laronde is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Laronde does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Laronde or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Laronde’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Laronde, and Laronde will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto