Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

Terrana is seeking a senior Machine Learning Scientist to lead the development and integration of AI/ML methods that advance our understanding of RNA and peptide function in plant and microbial systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in modern AI/ML, professional software engineering experience, and familiarity with both computational biology and the molecular biology of plants and microbes. We are looking for someone who has applied structure-based machine learning, particularly, generative AI, to solve complex modeling problems in scientific or industrial settings. 

In this individual contributor role, you will report to the Chief Technology Officer and collaborate closely with senior leaders across Terrana and strategic partners. You will work with teams in data science, molecular biology, and plant science to integrate AI/ML with design-build-test-learn cycles to uncover how RNA and peptide structures mediate key biological functions. Beyond core scientific applications of AI/ML, you will help identify and implement opportunities to improve research and operational workflows using agentic systems and other emerging technologies. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RNA and Peptide Function Prediction: 

• Design and implement ML/AI models to optimize in vivo RNA and peptide synthesis, dynamics, mobility, and localization in plant systems

• Predict how primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of RNA and peptides relate to replication, mobility, and physiological impact in plant cells

• Develop and refine generative models to design novel RNA and peptide sequences optimized for uptake, trafficking and expression within plant systems

• Design and curate scalable, queryable databases tailored for biological sequence data, structural annotations, and experimental results to support generative learning and model retraining

Insight Generation from Molecular Data: 

• Extend existing proprietary and public ML tools into discovery platforms that infer unknown RNA and peptide sequences from phylogenetic and functional data

• Translate high-dimensional molecular data into testable biological hypotheses by uncovering principles of RNA and peptide behavior in plants and microbes

• Increase experimental success rates by developing predictive models that prioritize high-potential constructs, accelerating Terrana’s test-and-learn cycles

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership: 

• Partner with teams across molecular biology, data engineering, and operations to embed AI/ML tools into scientific and operational workflows

• Initiate and manage collaborations with internal and external partners to advance Terrana’s machine learning capabilities

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in computer science, physics, biology, bioengineering, or a related field

• Demonstrated ability to work with domain experts to translate biological constraints into machine learning objectives, especially for optimizing transport, stability, or expression in vivo

• Familiarity with core problems and methods in computational biology

• Familiarity with DNA/RNA synthesis constraints, codon optimization, and vector design  

• Experience with ontology design, data labeling, and metadata curation for heterogeneous biological datasets

• Experience designing closed-loop ML systems or integrating active learning in high-throughput experimental contexts. Experience with synthetic biology platforms or high-throughput screening pipelines is a strong plus

• Deep knowledge and expertise in machine learning, including generative foundation models, multimodal architectures, uncertainty estimation, and transformer-based methods

• Hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks and scalable computing environments (AWS preferred)

• Strong software engineering skills, with experience in Python or R and best practices for maintainable, reproducible code

• Track record of improving workflows through automation, AI integration, or software tooling

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with proven ability to translate between biologists and data scientists to define ML objectives rooted in real-world biology

LOCATION:  Cambridge, MA or Durham, NC

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING:

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies 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.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

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 $168,000 - $291,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Terrana Biosciences, Inc. currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

#LI-TL1

The salary range for this role is $168,000 - $291,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Terrana Biosciences, Inc. currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.