Associate Director, RNA Purification & Characterization
Ginkgo Bioworks
- Boston, MA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lead a small team in circRNA / mRNA purifications, analytical method development and develop novel scalable processes to deliver therapeutic-grade material for in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
- Design, lead and develop novel chromatography and HTP purification processes including affinity, AEX, HIC, ipRP, mixed-mode, TFF and others.
- Execute lab experiments, lead scientific strategies and communicate clear findings to internal and external Ginkgo partners.
- Manage direct reports in daily experiential strategies, design of experiments, analyzing results and lead project and sub-project teams to deliver on results.
- Develop scale-out and scale-up mRNA and circRNA processes using liquid handling systems (Hamiltons, HPLCs, FPLC and others) to deliver high purity mRNA / circRNA including chromatography based purification, analytical methods and IVT reactions.
- Author technical documents including manuscripts, patents, reports, SOPs and others.
- Develop analytical methods to quantitate the purity of mRNA / circRNA by EX-agarose gel, capillary gel electrophoresis, HPLC and other analytical methods.
- PhD with a minimum of 5 years of experience or equivalent experience in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in nucleic acid chemistry, nucleic acid structure-activity relationships, RNA biology, synthesis, purification, and characterization.
- Excellent communication and organization skills, with the ability to effectively convey project plans and complex technical information to a wide range of internal teams, executive leadership, and external partners
- A desire to thrive in a team-first, fast-paced environment, a willingness to learn new technologies and skills, and an ability to efficiently deliver and solve problems.
- An enthusiasm for learning new techniques and a strong curiosity about previously unknown areas of biology.
- Direct experience and technical leadership in projects investigating RNA sequence-structure-function relationships in the context of translation, stability, catalysis, interference, or any other RNA process.
- Experience in project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Experience leading successful teams and mentoring multiple team membersF
- Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Knowledge of GMP practices, scaleup procedures and technical transfer to external organizations.
- Strong molecular biology expertise, with experience in mammalian cell culture and familiarity with next-generation sequencing technologies, RNA structure / function and ribosomal profiling is a plus.