Scientist II, Delivery & Transformation

Company Summary:

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.

Position Summary:

Are you a highly motivated and driven researcher who wants to contribute to developing products for sustainable agriculture? We are seeking a determined, impact-driven, full-time Scientist II in Delivery & Transformation with an eagerness for continued innovation. The successful candidate will be highly organized and comfortable working as an integral member of a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, record-keeping, and teamwork skills will be critical.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with a team of scientists to innovate, optimize, and execute various plant RNA delivery and transformation methods.
• Leading innovative projects to expand upon and enhance the RNA-based delivery of Terrana's platform technologies.
• Identifying and developing novel approaches in plant delivery and transformation, as well as methods for evaluating delivery success.
• Developing and using Agrobacterium, nanoparticle, and viral delivery techniques in various plant systems.
• Developing methods for RNA delivery to plants at field scale.
• Identifying key areas for automation of the delivery platform.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams including molecular biologists, virologists, trait scientists, data scientists, and regulatory specialists.
• Contributing to the ideation and prototyping of novel methods for trait deployment.
• Presenting scientific findings in cross-functional project team meetings, writing protocols and reports, and documenting results in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Coaching and mentoring research associates to carry out routine deliveries and assays independently and at scale.
• Contributing to a dynamic, exciting culture that embraces teamwork and innovation.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Plant Pathology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, plus 2+ years relevant industry/lab experience or a related field or M.S. plus 10+ years relevant industry/lab experience.
• Experience in one or multiple delivery techniques, including Agrobacterium, biolistic, nanoparticle, and viral.
• Familiarity with various nanoparticle platforms and how to use them in plant biotechnology.
• Background in transient gene expression, gene silencing (VIGS, RNAi), or CRISPR delivery via RNA-based vectors.
• Expertise in handling plant tissues, bioassay development, and optimization.
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques including in vitro transcription, qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot.
• Experience with protein, DNA, and RNA isolation and purification.
• Familiarity with RNA biology, RNA encapsulation, RNA nanotechnology is preferred.
• Prior work on sprayable or soil-applied biologics in crops preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory considerations for topical RNA-based agricultural products a plus.

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 more than $90 billion in aggregate value. 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 and our ecosystem companies are 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.