Senior Scientist, mRNA Engineering

Senior Scientist, mRNA Engineering

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Somerville, Massachusetts · Full Time · Onsite

Base salary: 140,000–170,000 · Equity: 0.25–0.50%

Lazarys is hiring a Senior Scientist to lead mRNA engineering for our therapeutic programs.

You will develop linear mRNA designs intended to increase the duration and quality of protein expression while retaining tissue-selective regulation. You will own the work from sequence design and IVT through RNA characterization, mammalian expression, and functional validation.

This is a hands-on RNA engineering role. You will report to the CSO and work closely with our LNP and oncology teams.

About Us

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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 approaches intended to suppress expression in expected off-target tissues while preserving useful expression in tumor cells.

We are an early-stage team based in Somerville, Massachusetts, with much of our experimental work performed in-house.

Responsibilities

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• Design and experimentally evaluate UTRs, coding sequences, RNA structural features, poly(A) configuration, nucleotide chemistry, and other variables affecting expression.
• Own DNA-template preparation, in vitro transcription, capping, purification, and RNA preparation.
• Establish analytical methods for RNA identity, concentration, integrity, residual DNA, dsRNA, cap status, and poly(A).
• Build rigorous RNA and protein expression time courses.
• Distinguish effects on RNA stability, translation, and protein half-life.
• Quantify expression magnitude, duration, and integrated protein output.
• Design and test microRNA response elements in relevant tumor and normal-cell models.
• Use small-RNA sequencing and appropriate public datasets to nominate tissue-relevant microRNAs for experimental validation.
• Evaluate innate immune sensing and its effect on expression and repeat dosing.
• Confirm lead RNA designs across independent preparations and therapeutic coding sequences.
• Use appropriate sequence-analysis and RNA-structure tools to support experimental design.
• Establish robust, reproducible methods that can be transferred to other scientists.
• Recommend RNA designs for advancement into delivery and in vivo studies.

Ideal Qualifications

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• PhD in RNA biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related field, typically with three or more years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Deep hands-on experience developing synthetic mRNA.
• Experience taking mRNA from sequence design through template preparation, IVT, purification, characterization, and mammalian expression.
• Strong understanding of RNA stability, translation, UTR biology, RNA structure, innate sensing, and regulatory elements.
• Experience experimentally distinguishing RNA lifetime from protein lifetime.
• Experience with RT-qPCR or RT-ddPCR, reporter assays, protein quantification, and RNA-quality methods.
• Familiarity with Qubit, RiboGreen, Bioanalyzer, TapeStation, or comparable platforms.
• Experience developing original RNA designs rather than only running established production protocols.
• Strong experimental troubleshooting skills.

Particularly relevant experience

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MicroRNA-mediated regulation, long-duration mRNA, sequence optimization, RNA secondary structure, modified nucleosides, innate immune sensing, RNAfold/ViennaRNA, therapeutic RNA process development, or LNP-delivered mRNA.

Technical milestone bonus

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This role includes a $15,000 technical milestone bonus for achieving an agreed, reproducibly validated RNA design meeting written criteria for expression duration, protein output, microRNA control, and production quality.

The benchmark and payment terms will be agreed in writing before the relevant work begins.

Pay and Benefits

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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.

1. 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.
2. $500+ monthly wellness budget for training, supplements, coaching, recovery, or other tools that help you perform at your best.
3. Healthcare: We offer a broad range of medical, dental, and vision coverage options, with Lazarys covering 100% of the base policy.
4. You will also have access to HSA, FSA, and 401(k) plans.
5. 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

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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 describing an RNA design or development 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

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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.