Formulation Scientist

Job title: Associate Research Scientist Contractor, RNAi Formulations

Duration: 12 Months ( possibility of extension)

location: Lexington, MA 02421

Pay Rate: $39.00/hr. on w2

Top Hiring Manager Requirements

1. Formulation: Hands-on laboratory experience formulating oligonucleotides or antibodies for subcutaneous injection.
2. Analytical Characterization: Hands-on analytical and biophysical characterization of oligonucleotides or antibodies/proteins.
3. Developability Assessments: Practical experience evaluating developability parameters, including maximum solubility, viscosity, osmolality, and limited chemical/physical stability.

Role Overview

The Associate Research Scientist Contractor, RNAi Formulations, will join the Non-Viral Delivery (NVD) group within Research & Early Development. This laboratory-based role focuses on hands-on RNAi formulation development, biophysical and analytical characterization, and supporting oligonucleotide delivery activities for injectable therapeutics.

Reporting & Relationships

• Reports directly to the US Team Manager for Nucleic Acid Delivery, Formulations, and Bioanalysis.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners across non-viral delivery, formulation development, oligonucleotide chemistry, stability assays, PK, bioanalysis, and CMC.

Key Responsibilities

• Support formulation development and preclinical characterization of RNAi and oligonucleotide candidates across platform and portfolio projects.
• Perform benchtop formulation preparation, biophysical characterization, and analytical testing to drive formulation selection and developability screening.
• Establish and execute early discovery screening assays assessing formulation performance, solubility, viscosity, osmolality, degradation profiles, and stability.
• Implement high-throughput screening and Design of Experiments (DoE) workflows for formulation optimization where applicable.
• Design and execute short- and long-term storage and stability evaluations for RNAi conjugates and oligonucleotide formulations.
• Document experimental methods, raw data, and findings accurately in laboratory notebooks; present updates through written technical reports and internal presentations.
• Identify technical gaps, propose practical solutions, and drive continuous improvement of laboratory formulation and characterization workflows.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education & Experience:
• Master’s Degree (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Formulation Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Analytical Chemistry, or related field with ~3 years of relevant experience, OR
• Ph.D. in a related scientific discipline with 1–3 years of hands-on experience.
• Strong background in oligonucleotide or antibody/protein formulation and characterization is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with analytical methodologies evaluating solubility, viscosity, osmolality, aggregation, and physical/chemical stability.
• Familiarity with automation platforms, high-throughput screening, and DoE-based optimization is an advantage.
• Solid communication, documentation, and data-analysis skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary research team.