Associate Scientist - LNP Process Development

Role Summary

Associate Scientist - LNP Process Development based in Boston, MA. Join Lilly's gene therapy team to invent, characterize, and advance lipid nanoparticle (LNP) reagents for clinical applications. The role may involve mentoring two junior scientists and travel up to 10-15% for conferences or training.

Responsibilities

• Implement LNP/TNP formulation studies using bench-scale and pilot-scale equipment (NanoAssemblr, T-mixers, impinging jet mixers).
• Perform downstream processing operations including tangential flow filtration (TFF), buffer exchange, and concentration.
• Conduct routine and non-routine characterization of LNP/TNP formulations to assess physical, chemical, and functional properties.
• Support the development and optimization of targeted lipid nanoparticle (TNP) formulation processes.
• Assist with process characterization studies to understand the impact of process parameters on product quality.
• Contribute to scale-up activities by performing experiments at increasing manufacturing scales.
• Engage in technology transfer activities.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field with 4+ years of relevant industrial experience.
• Required: Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant industrial experience.
• Required: Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• Preferred: Recent hands-on experience with lipid nanoparticle or liposome formulation in an industrial or academic research setting.
• Preferred: Proficiency with small-scale LNP formulation using microfluidic mixing systems (e.g., Precision NanoSystems Ignite).
• Preferred: Experience with mid-scale mixing technologies (T-mixing, impinging jet mixing).
• Preferred: Hands-on experience with tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems for nanoparticle purification and concentration.
• Preferred: Strong working knowledge of LNP characterization techniques: particle size and polydispersity (DLS); surface charge characterization (zeta potential, ELS); nucleic acid quantification (Ribogreen, absorbance methods); encapsulation efficiency determination; and solution properties (pH, osmolality, appearance).

Skills

• Hands-on formulation of lipid nanoparticles and liposomes
• Experience with microfluidic and mid-scale mixing technologies for nanoparticle formulation
• Knowledge of tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems for nanoparticle purification and concentration
• Analytical techniques for LNP characterization (DLS, zeta potential, ELS, nucleic acid quantification)
• Understanding of process development and technology transfer in pharmaceutical manufacturing