Scientist, RNA Biology (LNP)

Location: Onsite in Foster City, California, United States

Salary: $146,540–$189,640 per year, plus potential bonus, stock-based incentives, paid time off, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global is a biopharmaceutical company developing CAR and T-cell receptor engineered cell therapies and other cancer immunotherapies.

What you will do

• Own research-scale RNA production, including DNA template preparation, in vitro transcription, capping, polyadenylation, purification, concentration, buffer exchange, sterile handling, and storage.
• Develop and standardize workflows for linear mRNA and expand capabilities for circular RNA, self-amplifying RNA, and other emerging formats.
• Design RNA sequences and chemistry variables to improve expression, stability, and tolerability.
• Establish RNA quality-control methods and acceptance criteria covering identity, purity, integrity, capping, poly(A), residual DNA, double-stranded RNA, endotoxin, bioburden, and functional activity.
• Operate and troubleshoot RNA production and analytical equipment, and partner with LNP formulation scientists on encapsulation, particle attributes, expression, and biological activity.
• Lead investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, data packages, documentation, cross-functional experiments, and mentoring of junior scientists.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, RNA Biology, or a related field; alternatively, a relevant master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant experience or bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on expertise in mRNA production and characterization, including RNA sequence design, nucleotide chemistry, purification, analytical methods, and fit-for-purpose release criteria.
• Ability to independently develop and execute RNA workflows, troubleshoot technical issues, interpret multidimensional quality data, and translate findings into decisions.
• Ability to operate, maintain, qualify, and troubleshoot liquid-handling, chromatography, tangential-flow filtration, capillary electrophoresis, HPLC, spectrophotometry, fluorometric, quantitative PCR, and digital PCR systems.
• Ability to design experiments, analyze results, generate hypotheses, and recommend next steps.
• Ability to maintain electronic records, methods, reagent inventories, instrument logs, and safe laboratory practices.
• Preferred doctorate holders should have 3+ years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral experience.

Nice to have

• Experience applying RNA payload expertise in LNP formulation, encapsulation, or another nucleic acid delivery platform.
• Expertise in circular or self-amplifying RNA, modified nucleotides, cap chemistry, untranslated-region engineering, RNA structure, or innate immune sensing.
• Experience scaling or automating RNA production and purification using chromatography, tangential-flow filtration, design of experiments, or related process-development methods.
• Experience establishing specifications, reference standards, qualified assays, method-transfer packages, or comparability strategies for research-stage RNA products.
• Experience linking RNA critical quality attributes with cell-based expression, potency, tolerability, or durability readouts.
• Experience supporting cell therapy, in vivo cell engineering, oncology, or other cancer-focused research programs.
• Scientific impact through publications, patents, technology development, or leadership of an RNA therapeutics, drug-delivery, or molecular-engineering platform.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in multidisciplinary teams.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time onsite employment in Foster City, California.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, subject to applicable plan terms.
• Paid time off and potential discretionary annual bonus and stock-based long-term incentives.
• Inclusive work environment focused on employee development, empowerment, and equal employment opportunity.
• Work supports the development of personalized CAR T-cell therapies and other cancer treatments.

Hiring process

• Apply through the external application process; current hirify.global employees and contractors must apply through the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.