Principal Associate Scientist, Target Validation
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
June 25, 2026
On-site
Cambridge, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct mechanistic target validation and proof-of-concept preclinical research across various tissues and therapeutic areas.
- Perform in vivo proof-of-concept studies evaluating novel extrahepatic targeted siRNA delivery platforms across pipeline programs and early discovery.
- Develop, optimize, and validate new assays for emerging targets, biomarker development, and tissue-specific delivery evaluation.
- Integrate knockdown data with orthogonal readouts (protein, functional, transcriptomic endpoints) to support internal decision-making.
- Prepare experimental reports and data presentations for multiple audiences.
- Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic records with strong data integrity.
Qualifications
- BS/MS in Biology, Cell/Molecular Biology, or related field with 5–8 years of work experience (preferably industrial).
- Experience with in vivo rodent studies (subcutaneous, IP/IV dosing, retro-orbital bleeding, tissue dissections).
- Proficiency in RNA extraction across tissues; molecular assays for RNA/DNA/protein quantification (qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunoprecipitations).
- Hands-on mammalian cell culture (maintenance, transfection, primary cells such as primary hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, muscle cells).
- Strong quantitative data analysis skills (GraphPad Prism, Excel, statistics) and meticulous lab notebook documentation.
- Familiarity with muscle, cardiovascular, or endocrine disease biology and relevant preclinical models (preferred).
- Excellent lab technique; ability to troubleshoot independently.
- Strong written and oral interpersonal/communication skills.
Benefits/Compensation
- $95,600.00–$143,400.00 base salary; eligible for annual short-term incentive and annual long-term incentive (e.g., equity). Comprehensive benefits include medical/dental/vision, life/disability, 401(k) match, paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and recharge breaks.
- Conduct mechanistic target validation and proof-of-concept preclinical research across various tissues and therapeutic areas.
- Perform in vivo proof-of-concept studies evaluating novel extrahepatic targeted siRNA delivery platforms across pipeline programs and early discovery.
- Develop, optimize, and validate new assays for emerging targets, biomarker development, and tissue-specific delivery evaluation.
- Integrate knockdown data with orthogonal readouts (protein, functional, transcriptomic endpoints) to support internal decision-making.
- Prepare experimental reports and data presentations for multiple audiences.
- Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic records with strong data integrity.
Qualifications
- BS/MS in Biology, Cell/Molecular Biology, or related field with 5–8 years of work experience (preferably industrial).
- Experience with in vivo rodent studies (subcutaneous, IP/IV dosing, retro-orbital bleeding, tissue dissections).
- Proficiency in RNA extraction across tissues; molecular assays for RNA/DNA/protein quantification (qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunoprecipitations).
- Hands-on mammalian cell culture (maintenance, transfection, primary cells such as primary hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, muscle cells).
- Strong quantitative data analysis skills (GraphPad Prism, Excel, statistics) and meticulous lab notebook documentation.
- Familiarity with muscle, cardiovascular, or endocrine disease biology and relevant preclinical models (preferred).
- Excellent lab technique; ability to troubleshoot independently.
- Strong written and oral interpersonal/communication skills.
Benefits/Compensation
- $95,600.00–$143,400.00 base salary; eligible for annual short-term incentive and annual long-term incentive (e.g., equity). Comprehensive benefits include medical/dental/vision, life/disability, 401(k) match, paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and recharge breaks.