Scientist I, Nucleic Acids Biochemistry

Company Summary: 

Ring Therapeutics Inc. is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company pioneering a completely novel form of gene therapy by exploiting a family of naturally occurring commensal viruses to create the first re-doseable and targetable DNA medicines. This approach enables a powerful new class of tropic, persistent, non-integrating vectors that overcome the immunogenicity, and limited tropism of existing gene therapy vectors. Ring Therapeutics is leveraging this versatile technology to develop a broad pipeline of novel, targeted medicines for disease with high unmet medical need.

Ring Therapeutics was founded by Flagship Pioneering, focused on launching breakthrough companies based on internally conceived innovations and insights. 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 Moderna (MRNA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Rubius Therapeutics (RUBY), Axcella Health, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary:

Ring Therapeutics is seeking a Scientist I (contractor) to join the Nucleic Acids Biochemistry team within Platform to help design and test novel nucleic acid payloads for packaging within Anellovector VLPs. The ideal candidate will bring their creativity to ideation, gap analysis, design and experimentation revolving around molecular biology and cell culture. We are searching for enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals who are comfortable multitasking and working both within a team and independently on various aspects of nucleic acids payloads within the context of viral vector packaging.

Key Responsibilities:

• End to end ideate, design and experimentally optimize novel nucleic acid payloads (single stranded and double stranded long and short DNA/RNA) for
  • improved topology,
  • activity and
  • stability (through design and conjugation)
• In vitro validate novel payloads in cell culture systems for efficacy and stability
• Independently synthesize and interpret results and troubleshoot experiments
• Be a scientific leader and partner for junior members in the team
• Communicate progress and next steps within team and cross-functionally
• Collaborate with colleagues across teams
• Maintain electronic lab notebooks, write SOPs and tech transfer protocols when needed
• Work independently and collaborate with scientific colleagues in support of team goals
• Adhere to laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. +0-1 year industry experience or BS with +8 years industry experience or MS with + 6 years industry experience.
• Candidates must have hands-on experience in synthetic biology/ DNA vector design, cell culture, flow cytometry and general molecular biology tools (PCR/qPCR/ddPCR).
• Experience with DNA origami highly desirable.
• Experience with xNA conjugation and biophysical characterization a plus.
• Experience working with different RNA modalities (siRNA, mRNA) a plus.
• Experience with xNA purification (HPLC, FPLC) and pre-formulation a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical information in a clear and thorough manner.
• Comfortable delivering against challenging commitments.
• Self-motivated, execution-focused and adaptable to evolving project priorities and eager to learn new skills. 

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.