Scientist I/II, Targeted Drug Delivery

Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job description

Sail Biomedicines is harnessing evolutionary and artificial intelligence to revolutionize programmable medicines. Sail’s platform combines first-in-class programmable RNA technology (Endless RNATM or eRNA), and an industry-leading platform of programmable nanoparticles, utilizing natural components, to unlock comprehensive programming of medicines for the first time. By leveraging cutting-edge eRNA and nanoparticle deployment technology, Sail is building a wealth of data, enabling unparalleled use of AI techniques to identify and design fully programmable medicines that are potent, targeted, versatile, and tunable. Sail was founded by Flagship Pioneering.

The Role:

Sail Biomedicines is seeking a highly motivated Scientist I/II with expertise in bioconjugation to join our mission of developing novel targeted programmable delivery technology. This is a unique opportunity to be an integral part of a team dedicated to creating a transformative delivery platform for precision-targeted therapeutics. This role will focus on both conjugation and formulation, requiring expertise in modifying ligands for conjugation to nanoparticles and integrating surface modifications to enable targeted delivery applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in site-specific bioconjugation strategies and nanoparticle functionalization, along with experience in formulation development and characterization methods. They will be responsible for designing and optimizing complex particle frameworks, ensuring the efficiency, stability, and reproducibility of conjugation and formulation processes.

Your contributions will play a critical role in advancing our bioconjugation strategies and supporting the development of AI/ML-driven design approaches. This lab-based, onsite position requires hands-on experimental work, independent problem-solving, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive project success.

Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize targeting ligand conjugates, including site-specific conjugation strategies using enzymatic or other bioconjugation chemistries.
• Develop, execute, and troubleshoot bioconjugation processes, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability for therapeutic applications.
• Purify conjugates and other biomolecules using chromatography systems (ÄKTA) and tangential flow filtration (TFF) methods.
• Interpret and analyze analytical data using LC/MS and other biophysical characterization techniques.
• Design and optimize targeted formulations for nucleic acid (mRNA, siRNA, DNA, etc.) delivery, providing critical input on formulation strategy.
• Develop and validate analytical methods to assess conjugation efficiency, stability, and potency of modified biomolecules.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance candidates from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
• Execute experiments that support the company’s platform development and intellectual property strategy.
• Develop novel methods to advance our understanding of nanoparticle mechanism of action, targeting efficiency, and potency.
• Manage multiple experiments, projects, and interactions with supporting functions simultaneously.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD. in Pharmaceutical Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline, with a strong background in bioconjugation and protein modification.
• Hands-on experience in site-specific conjugation strategies, ADC development, and biomolecular purification.
• Proficiency in chromatography techniques (ÄKTA systems) and tangential flow filtration (TFF) purification methods.
• Ability to independently design experiments, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to strategic project planning.
• Execution-focused, highly motivated, and team-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic, and innovative environment.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with in vivo nucleic acid delivery.
• Strong background in physicochemical and biophysical analytics, including assay development.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques, including:
  • DLS, zeta potential, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and SDS-PAGE for protein and conjugate characterization.
• Familiarity with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and their formulation.