(Senior) Research Associate, Protein Sciences

Company overview:

Flagship Labs 109, Inc. (FL109) is a privately held, early-stage technology company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence, physics and hardware to transform the way we see biology. FL109 was conceived by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Become part of our mission-driven team and help envision the future of science.

Role Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to support recombinant protein production at FL109. This role will focus on the expression, purification, and characterization of challenging protein targets—including membrane proteins and other cryo-EM–ready samples—with an emphasis on high-throughput, high-quality data generation.

You will work at the intersection of protein biochemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven technology development, building robust purification workflows and characterization assays that directly feed data into next-generation computational models. This is a hands-on, fast-moving role for someone who enjoys solving hard biochemical problems and seeing their work rapidly translate into new insights and capabilities.

Basic requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or a related field, with a minimum of 2 years of post-baccalaureate experience in an academic or industry laboratory.
• Hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, encompassing all steps of the end-to-end workflow: DNA construct design, transformation/transfection, and the full range of chromatographic techniques (affinity, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion).
• Proficiency with ÄKTA systems and UNICORN software, including the design and execution of protein purification methods.
• Experience implementing protein characterization and binding assays, e.g. ELISA, BLI, and/or enzymatic activity.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques used to assess recombinant protein quality, including flow cytometry, size-exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and thermostability assays.
• Ability to rigorously document their work in an ELN and maintain a electronic LIMS.

Strong candidates will have:

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry or a related field, and 5+ years of experience with recombinant protein production and purification in an industry setting.
• Proficiency across multiple protein expression systems, such as bacterial, mammalian, insect, yeast, and/or cell-free platforms.
• Experience generating proteins for high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) applications.
• Demonstrated expertise in the purification and characterization of membrane proteins.
• Experience with automation in a biochemistry context, such as automated protein purification or high-throughput assay development.
• Experience with antibody or antibody fragment production and purification.

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in generation of over 500 patents, initiation of over 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents and an aggregate value of more than $90 billion. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture. Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $107,300. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. FL109 currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on FL109's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.