What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Associate Scientist, Biology position at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals?
Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Principal Associate Scientist to join our innovative Research & Development (ReDev) team focused on advancing next-generation oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on expertise in in vitro assay development, immune cell analysis, and molecular characterization, along with a strong passion for translational science.
In this role, you will design and execute complex immune assays, perform high-quality multiparametric flow cytometry, and contribute to the evaluation of nucleic acid–based therapeutic platforms addressing significant unmet medical needs.
This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.
Key Responsibilities
U.S. Pay Range
$95,600.00 - $143,400.00
The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).
Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.
Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers
About Alnylam
We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics – a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.
At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Principal Associate Scientist to join our innovative Research & Development (ReDev) team focused on advancing next-generation oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on expertise in in vitro assay development, immune cell analysis, and molecular characterization, along with a strong passion for translational science.
In this role, you will design and execute complex immune assays, perform high-quality multiparametric flow cytometry, and contribute to the evaluation of nucleic acid–based therapeutic platforms addressing significant unmet medical needs.
This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, optimize, and execute in vitro and ex vivo immune assays to assess immune modulation, including immune cell activation and suppression using primary and engineered immune cells.
- Perform multiparametric flow cytometry (e.g., surface markers, intracellular cytokines, phospho-flow) using platforms such as Cytek Aurora or BD LSR/FACSAria; analyze data using FlowJo, OMIQ, or equivalent tools to assess immune subsets, activation states, and biomarker expression.
- Develop and perform ELISA, MSD, cytokine profiling, western blot, and qRT-PCR to evaluate target engagement, gene expression, and knockdown efficiency.
- Maintain, expand, and functionally characterize primary immune cells and established mammalian cell lines.
- Analyze and interpret multi-parametric datasets (e.g., flow cytometry, cytokine panels, gene expression); summarize results in reports and present data to project teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Collaborate closely with internal platform teams, contribute to method development, assay validation, and protocol optimization/transfer across functional groups.
- BS or MS in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with with 8 (BS) or 5 (MS) years of hands-on laboratory experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
- Proven expertise in mammalian primary immune cell isolation, culture, and functional immune assays (e.g., T cell activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity).
- Strong proficiency in flow cytometry, including high-parameter panel design, sample preparation, and data analysis; experience with cell sorting is highly desirable.
- Skilled in cell culture, ELISA/MSD, cytokine profiling, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR.
- Solid understanding of immune pathways, cell phenotyping, and immune assay readouts.
- Familiarity with automation platforms (e.g., liquid handlers, high-throughput systems) is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to independently execute experiments, troubleshoot technical issues, and manage timelines effectively.
- Strong organizational skills, scientific rigor, and keen attention to detail.
U.S. Pay Range
$95,600.00 - $143,400.00
The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).
Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.
Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers
About Alnylam
We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics – a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.
At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.
Salary : $95,600 - $143,400