Senior Research Assistant / Associate Scientist / Scientist – mRNA and Molecular Biology

Overview:

We seek a passionate and skilled Senior Research Associate/ Associate Scientist / Scientist to help Moonwalk’s R&D team to support our molecular profiling (EpiRead platform) and payload engineering (EpiWrite platform) capabilities. In this hands-on role, you will assist with the design and execution of epigenetic profiling assays as well as supporting our payload research and development teams with construct synthesis and screening, generating the next frontier of epigenetic medicines.

Key Responsibilities:

As a member of the R&D team, you will participate:

  • Support the design and synthesis of payload systems for potency, specificity, and efficacy of mRNA therapeutics (e.g. Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, cloning, mRNA production and process optimization,, etc.).
  • Assist with construct design, synthesis, and high throughput screening.
  • Support the development and execution of protocols for molecular characterization of primary or edited cells using genomics methods (ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, Long reads sequencing, qPCR, dPCR).
  • Optimize single-cell or nuclei isolation for Molecular Biology characterization. 
  • Operate, maintain and troubleshoot short-read sequencers, liquid handlers, electrophoresis systems (Fragment Analyzer, Bioanalyzer). 
  • Collaborate with Scientists across the R&D, Payload, Profiling, and Translational Science teams to support platform development. 
  • Stay current on the latest advancements in mRNA synthesis and molecular profiling technologies and identify new opportunities for platform development.
  • Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of experiments, reagents, and samples.
  • Interpret scientific data, generating reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

  • BS/MS in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 3+ experience in the optimization of cloning and IVT mRNA synthesis (e.g. Golden Gate, Gibson Assembly, capping, UTR optimization).
  • Experience with NGS workflow automation and method development.
  • Minimum of 5+ years of experience designing and executing different Molecular Biology and NGS library preparation methods (NGS, Long-read sequencing, dPCR).
  • Experience executing high throughput screens (e.g. pooled and arrayed CRISPR screening) is a plus.

Salary Ranges:

  • SRA: The expected annual pay range for this position is $93,000 – $110,000.
  • Associate Scientist: The expected annual pay range for this position is $102,000 – $118,000.
  • Scientist I : The expected annual pay range for this position is $110,000 – $125,000.
  • Scientist II: The expected annual pay range for this position is $112,000 – $132,000.

Exact compensation and title may vary based on skills and years of experience.

Company Overview:

Moonwalk Biosciences is pioneering a new class of precision epigenetic medicines. Its novel platform technology provides a complete view of the epigenome in health and disease, with the most advanced AI prediction of epigenetic targets, and the broadest set of epigenetic engineering tools. Moonwalk was Co-founded by Alex Aravanis, M.D., Ph.D., former CTO of Illumina, world-renowned scientist Feng Zhang, Ph.D. of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and a distinguished set of industry leaders and company builders. It has raised $57 million led by Alpha Wave Ventures, and joined by other leading life sciences investors ARCH Venture Partners, Future Ventures, GV, Khosla Ventures and YK Bioventures.