(Principal / Senior) Scientist, LNP Discovery & Machine Learning

Somerville, Massachusetts · Full Time · Onsite
Base salary: 165,000–195,000 · Equity: 0.60–1.10%

Lazarys is hiring a Principal or Senior Scientist to lead LNP discovery for our systemic mRNA programs. You will develop and optimize proprietary LNP formulations for systemic delivery, with an initial focus on extrahepatic expression, including the lung and tumor tissue. This role combines formulation science with quantitative modeling: you will design formulation campaigns, generate high-quality experimental datasets, build predictive models, and use those models to inform subsequent rounds of testing. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will report to the CSO and supervise a Senior Research Associate focused on formulation and assay automation.

About Us — Lazarys is developing medicines for solid tumors across RNA and cell therapy. Our lead program is an intravenously administered mRNA therapeutic for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. We are developing delivery systems, tumor-selective expression control, and engineered therapeutic proteins intended to increase activity in tumors while limiting exposure in healthy tissues. We are an early-stage team based in Somerville, Massachusetts, with much of our experimental work performed in-house.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute LNP formulation campaigns across ionizable lipids, helper lipids, sterols, PEG lipids, composition, N ratio, mixing conditions, buffers, purification, concentration, and storage.
• Develop formulations for systemic mRNA delivery with an emphasis on productive extrahepatic expression, tolerability, reproducibility, and manufacturability.
• Establish and maintain characterization methods for particle size, PDI, RNA encapsulation, RNA integrity, apparent pKa, and stability.
• Develop cell-based screens across tumor and normal-cell models.
• Evaluate productive delivery, not simply cellular uptake.
• Work closely with in vivo pharmacology to compare formulation properties and in vitro performance with biodistribution, tissue expression, and tolerability.
• Determine which in vitro measurements are most predictive of in vivo performance.
• Develop predictive models for formulation data using Python.
• Apply active learning, Bayesian optimization, multi-objective optimization, or related approaches to experimental selection.
• Prospectively compare model-selected formulations with appropriate experimental baselines.
• Improve formulation reproducibility, RNA recovery, stability, material consumption, and cost.
• Supervise and develop the Senior Research Associate supporting formulation and automation.

Ideal Qualifications

• PhD in drug delivery, chemical engineering, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, or a related field, typically with five or more years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience for the Principal Scientist level.
• Deep hands-on experience developing LNPs or closely related nanoparticle systems.
• Strong experience with formulation development, particle characterization, mammalian cell culture, and quantitative delivery assays.
• A track record of independently developing or materially improving a nanoparticle delivery workflow.
• Strong quantitative and programming skills.
• Experience applying machine learning to chemical, formulation, or biological datasets.
• Experience with Python and relevant scientific computing tools such as pandas, scikit-learn, RDKit, PyTorch, BoTorch, or equivalents.
• Experience with sequential experimental design, active learning, Bayesian optimization, or related methods in which model outputs directly informed experiments.
• Strong judgment around assay quality, controls, replication, batch effects, uncertainty, and data leakage.
• Ability to lead a scientific program while remaining active at the bench and in code.

Particularly relevant experience — Extrahepatic delivery, lung-targeted LNPs, lipid chemistry, primary-cell screening, automated formulation, endosomal escape assays, high-content imaging, IVIVC/IVIVE, process development, formulation scale-up, or transfer of research formulations into reproducible production processes.

Pay and Benefits — In addition to the posted salary range, we offer generous equity options. Equity terms, including a monthly or quarterly vesting schedule, will be agreed as part of the offer.

• Compensation will depend on the skills, experience, and scope of impact you bring. If your background, experience, or compensation needs fall outside this range, we are still open to a conversation based on the scope and impact you could bring.
• $500+ monthly wellness budget for training, supplements, coaching, recovery, or other tools that help you perform at your best.
• Healthcare: We offer a broad range of medical, dental, and vision coverage options, with Lazarys covering 100% of the base policy.
• You will also have access to HSA, FSA, and 401(k) plans.
• We support visa sponsorship where appropriate, including O-1, H-1B, J-1, TN, and other employment-based pathways. We also fund team dinners, events, celebrations, and occasional offsites.

Apply Today — Curious but not sure? Apply anyway. It takes a couple minutes, and you do not need to be actively job searching to start a conversation. Send us your CV or resume and a short note answering two questions:

• Why Lazarys?
• What is one difficult technical problem you personally solved?

Our process typically includes an initial conversation, a technical deep dive, an onsite visit in Somerville, and references before a final offer. Selected candidates may also be invited to a short paid work trial. We know that exceptional people do not map perfectly to a job description. If this sounds like a place where you could do important work, we would like to hear from you.

Employer Details — Genetic Circuit Therapeutics, Inc. d/b/a Lazarys (“Lazarys”) is an equal opportunity employer. Lazarys considers qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law and provides reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process in accordance with applicable law. Pay: $165,000.00 - $195,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person