What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director, Biocatalysis position at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals?
Overview
We are seeking a Head of Biocatalysis to lead the discovery, engineering, development, and implementation of enzyme-enabled technologies across our portfolio. This individual will define the company’s biocatalysis strategy, build internal protein screening and engineering capabilities, and partner with external organizations to discover and develop new and improved enzymes.
The role will focus on protein discovery, enzyme engineering, enzyme and reaction screening, protein design, expression, purification, characterization, and scalable biocatalytic process development. The Head of Biocatalysis will evaluate opportunities for biocatalyst substitution and new chemistry, including new and improved biocatalytic syntheses of oligonucleotides and applications for small molecule processes.
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in biocatalysis and protein engineering, strong process development judgment, and the ability to partner across Drug Product, Starting Materials, Process Chemistry, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and external collaborators to deliver robust, scalable, and impactful biocatalytic solutions.
This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.
Responsibilities
$229,500.00 - $310,500.00
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 Head of Biocatalysis to lead the discovery, engineering, development, and implementation of enzyme-enabled technologies across our portfolio. This individual will define the company’s biocatalysis strategy, build internal protein screening and engineering capabilities, and partner with external organizations to discover and develop new and improved enzymes.
The role will focus on protein discovery, enzyme engineering, enzyme and reaction screening, protein design, expression, purification, characterization, and scalable biocatalytic process development. The Head of Biocatalysis will evaluate opportunities for biocatalyst substitution and new chemistry, including new and improved biocatalytic syntheses of oligonucleotides and applications for small molecule processes.
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in biocatalysis and protein engineering, strong process development judgment, and the ability to partner across Drug Product, Starting Materials, Process Chemistry, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and external collaborators to deliver robust, scalable, and impactful biocatalytic solutions.
This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead the biocatalysis strategy across starting materials, oligonucleotides, and small molecule processes.
- Identify high-impact opportunities for biocatalyst substitution, new enzymatic chemistry, and improved synthetic routes.
- Lead enzyme discovery, engineering, screening, and optimization through internal capabilities and external partnerships.
- Establish internal protein screening and engineering capabilities, including protein design, expression, purification, characterization, and reaction screening.
- Drive biocatalytic applications for oligonucleotide synthesis and small molecule process development.
- Partner with Process Chemistry, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory teams to translate biocatalytic concepts into scalable, robust, and manufacturable processes.
- Manage strategic collaborations with academic institutions, CROs/CDMOs, and enzyme discovery or engineering companies.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and external opportunities in biocatalysis, protein engineering, and biocatalyst manufacturing.
- Serve as the technical authority for biocatalysis, providing scientific guidance, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Enzymology, Biochemical Engineering, Protein Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, protein discovery, process chemistry, or biochemical process development within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CDMO, or industrial settings.
- Demonstrated experience discovering, engineering, screening, or implementing enzymes for synthetic or manufacturing applications.
- Strong technical understanding of Enzyme and reaction screening; Protein design and engineering; Protein expression, purification, and characterization; Biotransformation and enzyme-enabled synthesis; Process development, scale-up, and technology transfer.
- Experience evaluating external technologies and managing collaborations with academic institutions, CROs, CDMOs, or biotechnology companies.
- Ability to operate effectively across early discovery, development, manufacturing, and CMC environments.
- Strong communication, influencing, and cross-functional leadership skills.
$229,500.00 - $310,500.00
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 : $229,500 - $310,500