Research Associate, Molecular & Cellular Biology

About Alltrna

Alltrna, a Flagship-founded company, has mapped tRNA biology to systematically design tRNA medicines and encode a completely new, unifying approach to treating both rare and common human diseases driven by shared genetic mutations. Our mission is to unlock tRNA biology and pioneer tRNA therapeutics to regulate the protein universe and resolve disease. Alltrna's platform combines internal expertise and proprietary machine learning tools to unlock the entire tRNA biology space. We have an unprecedented opportunity to advance a single tRNA medicine to restore disrupted protein production, regardless of target, for thousands of diseases with the same underlying genetic mutation. Alltrna was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering. For more info, visit www.alltrna.com.

Flagship Pioneering (FSP) conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category bioplatform companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has, through its Flagship Labs unit, applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $200 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship has deployed over $2.5 billion in capital toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $19 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 42 transformative companies, including Denali Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DNLI), Foghorn Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FHTX), Indigo Ag,, Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA), Omega Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OMGA), , Sana Biotechnology (Nasdaq: SANA), and Seres Therapeutics (Nasdaq: MCRB).

About The Role

Alltrna is seeking to hire an exceptional Research Associate/ Senior Research Associate with experience in Molecular & Cellular Biology to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position has a strong background in molecular and cellular biology laboratory techniques and is motivated to learn new skills. As a key contributor to the pooled screening team, you'll work directly with computational biologists, machine learning scientists, automation engineers, and other molecular biologist to develop and perform well- and pool-based screens.

Core Responsibilities

• Work as part of a collaborative team to develop well- and pool-based screening platforms.

• Participate in the design, execution, and evaluation of medium- and large-scale screens, including data interpretation and planning next steps in a project.

• Utilize the screening platform to engineer optimized tRNA sequences for therapeutic applications.

• Independently perform cell and molecular biology techniques including virus production and transduction, FACS, and NGS library preparation.

• Contribute to the identification and testing of new strategies that could be implemented to improve experimental outcomes and reduce bottlenecks.

• Keep detailed and timely records using an ELN.

Qualifications and Skills

• BS or MS in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related discipline with 1-3+ years for MS and 3-5+ years for BA of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.

• General molecular biology skill set including DNA/RNA extraction, molecular cloning techniques (e.g. restriction enzyme cloning, Gateway cloning, Gibson/isothermal assembly), gel electrophoresis, PCR/qPCR, etc.

• Demonstrated excellence in mammalian cell culture, with hands-on experience performing general tissue culture maintenance and forward/reverse transfections.

• Exposure to the development and execution of cell-based assays in 96- or 384-well microtiter

• Excellent communication skills, record keeping, and attention to detail. Enthusiasm for learning and an interest in RNA-based therapeutics.

Preferred skills

• Experience with lentiviral packaging, titering, and transduction.

• Proficiency with cell sorting technologies (e.g. FACS).

• History with developing massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) or pooled screens.

• Experience in developing fluorescent or luminescent based assays.

What We'll Offer You

• Comprehensive, competitive healthcare and dental coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, vision coverage through VSP, family leave, paid time off, 401k retirement plan, disability and life insurance, and fully covered parking/commuter benefits.

• A dynamic early-stage work environment and highly interdisciplinary, talented, and collaborative team.

• Participation in an unprecedented opportunity to advance a single tRNA medicine to restore disrupted protein production, regardless of target, for thousands of diseases with the same underlying genetic mutation.

• Professional growth opportunities through mentoring, training, immersion in cross-functional projects, and opportunities to learn and try new things.

• Be part of the team that writes the playbook for developing tRNA molecules and you will be critical not only in ensuring that we can understand how our formulations perform in living systems but also in defining how we manufacture for our clinical programs.

Our Core Values

• PATIENTS DESERVE BETTER. We are transforming medicine, boldly building a new future for patients.
• CURIOSITY SPARKS DISCOVERY. We ardently explore the unknown, catalyzing new scientific breakthroughs.
• COURAGE PROPELS US FORWARD. We take thoughtful risks without fear of failure, growing with each experience.
• OUR PURPOSE FUELS US. We each lead and work with focus and passion to design groundbreaking tRNA medicines.
• WE ARE ONE TEAM. We are united on trust and collaboration, embracing all voices and experiences.

WE GIVE IT OUR ALL, EVERYDAY, FOR PATIENTS EVERYWHERE. WE ARE ALLTRNA.

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 submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering's internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.