Back to jobs
New

Scientist / Senior Scientist, Process Sciences and Innovation

Boston, Massachusetts

Company Overview:

Strand Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company utilizing synthetic biology to genetically program mRNA to deliver truly revolutionary immunotherapies to patients.

Building on the idea of creating smart therapies based on Boolean logic circuits, Strand was started by biological engineers working together at MIT who were seeking to apply the concept of the emerging field of mRNA therapeutics. Strand's technology is therapeutic-area and mRNA modality agnostic where therapeutic proteins are encoded onto modified, self-replicating, or circular mRNA backbones which in turn are programmed with cell-specific sensors and circuits.

Today, Strand has established three platforms with one clinical stage asset and several programs in preclinical development as well as early discovery. Our lead program, STX-001, is currently being evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial for solid tumors. Our corporate headquarters is located in the Fenway district of Boston, Massachusetts.

Become the next standout single strand!

Job Summary:

Strand is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our Process Development team and lead Process Sciences & Innovation across our mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platforms.

This role is intended for an experienced lab based technical leader who thrives on solving difficult problems, challenging conventional approaches, and identifying transformative technologies that can fundamentally improve how mRNA/LNP therapeutics are developed and manufactured. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in mRNA and LNP development, a strong understanding of emerging technologies, and a passion for translating novel ideas into practical solutions.

Reporting to the Director of Process Development, this individual will serve as the technical lead for Process Sciences & Innovation, partnering closely with Analytical Development and Research, to identify, evaluate, and implement next-generation technologies that enhance process understanding, development efficiency, scalability, and product quality.

The ideal candidate is an intellectually curious scientist who actively seeks out new ideas, remains at the forefront of advances in RNA therapeutics and bioprocessing, and is energized by bringing innovative technologies and concepts into practical application. This role will help shape the future direction of Strand’s mRNA and LNP development capabilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Own the technology scouting function for Process Development by identifying, evaluating, and championing emerging technologies that have the potential to transform mRNA and LNP development and manufacturing.
  • Design and execute experimental studies that challenge existing process paradigms and generate new approaches to mRNA synthesis, purification, and LNP formulation.
  • Partner closely with Analytical Development to develop and implement advanced characterization methods, process analytical technologies (PAT), in-line monitoring strategies, and real-time process understanding tools.
  • Evaluate emerging instrumentation, automation platforms, digital technologies, and data science approaches that can accelerate process development and improve manufacturing robustness.
  • Develop innovative strategies to improve process performance, scalability, reproducibility, and product quality across mRNA and LNP unit operations.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in mRNA and LNP process development and provide technical leadership across research, development, and manufacturing activities.
  • Lead scientific investigations into complex process and product challenges and develop creative, data-driven solutions.
  • Establish mechanistic understanding of critical process parameters and material attributes through thoughtful experimental design and data analysis.
  • Build and manage relationships with technology vendors, equipment manufacturers, CROs, academic groups, and industry collaborators to evaluate emerging capabilities and technologies.
  • Maintain awareness of scientific and technological advances through active participation in conferences, publications, industry forums, and professional networks.
  • Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Maintain electronic laboratory notebooks and author technical reports, protocols, presentations, and scientific summaries.

Qualifications:

  • B.S. or Advanced Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
  • Significant industry experience developing mRNA, lipid nanoparticle (LNP), or related nucleic acid therapeutic products, with demonstrated technical leadership and scientific innovation.
  • Deep understanding of DNA/mRNA synthesis, purification, and characterization required, experience with LNPs also is preferred
  • Proven track record of identifying, evaluating, and implementing new technologies, methodologies, or workflows that improve process understanding, development efficiency, scalability, or product quality.
  • Demonstrated ability to think creatively and challenge conventional approaches to solve complex technical problems.
  • Experience designing and executing experimental studies that generate actionable scientific insights and drive strategic decision making.
  • Strong understanding of process development principles and the relationship between process parameters, material attributes, and product quality.
  • Experience collaborating across scientific disciplines, particularly with Analytical Development, Research, Manufacturing, and external partners.
  • Familiarity with advanced analytical technologies, process analytical technologies (PAT), in-line monitoring, automation, digital process development, and advanced data analysis techniques is highly desirable.
  • Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), multivariate analysis, mechanistic process understanding, and data-driven process optimization approaches.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical initiatives while effectively contributing within a highly collaborative team environment.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Self-motivated, intellectually curious, and passionate about advancing the state of the art in RNA therapeutics and nanoparticle delivery technologies.

Strand offers a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, team-focused small company environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, open PTO, onsite lunch catering, commuter support and more) and work/life flexibility and integration. Being part of the Strand team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to meet Strand’s goals. 

Strand Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable law. Strand does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $120,000 - $142,000 annually plus bonus and equity incentives

Pay Transparency Base Salary Range

$120,000 - $142,000 USD

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Strand Therapeutics? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Strand Therapeutics’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.