Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, mRNA Manufacturing

Company Summary:
Tessera Therapeutics is pioneering Gene Writing™—a new genome engineering technology that writes therapeutic messages into the genome to treat diseases at their source. Tessera Therapeutics was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 40 groundbreaking companies over the past fifteen years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Rubius Therapeutics (RUBY), Axcella Health (AXLA), Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary:
Tessera Therapeutics is seeking a motivated and creative Research Associate to join a team of scientists and engineers focused on advancing mRNA-based therapeutics.  This position will focus on the production of mRNA for research and preclinical studies.  This will include, but not limited to lab-scale processing, high-throughput automation, process scale-up and execution of processes to make material for research and preclinical studies. This individual will join a dynamic, rapidly growing, and highly collaborative team that is driving state-of-the-art mRNA process development for a novel platform of Gene Writing.
 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the in-house mRNA purification capabilities, with an emphasis on  for producing high-purity mRNA material using laboratory automation. 
• Opportunity to become an expert/lead on automation equipment and optimize workflows for mRNA purification, identifying new technologies and equipment that can further enhance capabilities in-house
• Execute experiments for small-scale and scale-up efforts for RNA purification via chromatographic separations and filtration processes including tangential flow filtration.
• Strong troubleshooting, organization and time management skills, attention to detail, maintain equipment according to SOPs and support general laboratory hygiene and safety practices.
• Record experimental studies and results in an electronic notebook (ELN). Generate high level summaries of experimental results to support the generation of technical reports for process development studies.

Collaborate and communicate effectively within the mRNA process development team and across functional groups.

Basic Qualifications:
·       BS/MS with 1- 3 years of relevant industrial experience. A degree in either Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or Biological Sciences.
·       Previous hands on experience with laboratory automation (Hamilton or Tecan) and separation instruments like AKTA, TFF systems and HPLC is preferred.
·       Understanding and experience in biopharmaceutical process development including protein/ mRNA synthesis, purification, is preferred.
·       Understanding of nucleic acid chemistry, enzymatic and chemical reactions, PCR, plasmid processing, and standard analytical techniques for macromolecules, is preferred.
·       Hands on experience with in vitro transcription and mRNA purification technologies is preferred, but not required.
·       Eager to work with highly skilled and dynamic teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and technical setting with a track record of completing deliverables within specified timelines.
·       The successful candidate should be collaborative, communicative, and enthusiastic about working with RNA molecules leading to the next generation of genetic medicines.

 

Flagship Pioneering has conceived of and created companies such as Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA), Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT), Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Indigo Agriculture. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures. In 2021, Flagship Pioneering was ranked 12th globally on Fortune’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are 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: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The