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Salary: USD 110,000 - 165,000 / annual
Basecamp Research is building frontier AI for therapeutic design, combining machine learning with biology to create cell and gene therapies, enzymes, and peptides. The company recently closed a $140M Series C and operates offices in Boston and London, partnering with biopharma companies and academic institutions worldwide.
You will join the Boston team as Scientist / Senior Scientist, tLNP Formulation and Delivery, reporting to the Head of Gene Editing and Early Discovery. This is a hands-on, lab-based role requiring full-time on-site presence at the Boston facility.
You will own the end-to-end design, formulation, bioconjugation, and physicochemical characterization of novel targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs) to enable extrahepatic tissue tropism for next-generation genetic medicines. Key responsibilities include:
- Developing targeted LNP technology and designing tLNP formulations encapsulating nucleic acid payloads (mRNA, DNA, sgRNA) by systematically altering lipid ratios, ionizable lipid structures, and helper components
- Directing third-party CROs to synthesize lipids of interest
- Performing hands-on surface modifications and bioconjugation chemistries to attach targeting moieties (antibodies, VHHs/nanobodies, peptides) to LNP surfaces
- Executing routine and advanced LNP analytics including particle size/polydispersity (DLS), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (RiboGreen assays), and conjugation/purity metrics
- Partnering with the cell biology team to develop and optimize in vitro assays (flow cytometry/FACS, plate readers, fluorescence/luminescence imaging) to evaluate target binding, cellular uptake, endosomal escape, and functional cargo translation
- Designing robust in vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in collaboration with the innovation team
- Maintaining detailed Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) records, authoring technical reports, generating patent disclosure data, and presenting findings to cross-functional leadership
- Collaborating across cell biology, innovation, and computational/AI teams to relay results that inform iterative design of AI-generated targeting ligands and payloads
You will be a key technical interface for in vivo studies central to the company's strategy of achieving extrahepatic tissue tropism for next-generation therapies.
REQUIREMENTS:
- PhD in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field, with 1–2 years of relevant experience (Scientist level) or 3+ years (Senior Scientist level); MSc with equivalent hands-on laboratory experience will be considered
- Hands-on experience with LNP assembly platforms (microfluidic/NanoAssemblr, T mixing, or ethanol injection)
- Demonstrated experience with surface bioconjugation techniques to functionalize nanoparticles with targeting moieties
- Demonstrated understanding and hands-on experience in shifting nanoparticle biodistribution/tropism through lipid compositional tweaking, molar ratio modification, or structural lipid alteration
- Experience with LNP analytical techniques such as DLS and encapsulation assays
- Hands-on experience with targeted LNPs and conjugation of biomaterials
- Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment with high degree of ownership over work
ADVANTAGEOUS SKILLS:
- Experience with automated or high-throughput liquid-handling platforms for formulation screening
- Practical knowledge of Design of Experiments (DoE) software (e.g., JMP)
- Interest or prior experience collaborating with computational/ML teams on AI-guided formulation or targeting-ligand design
- Familiarity with peptide-based targeting ligands or peptide bioconjugation chemistries
- Experience with LNP scale-up
