Scientist, Protein Expression and Purification

About Apriori Bio

Apriori is working to create a world that is protected against viral threats. Our pioneering approach centers on a unique technology platform, Octavia™, which allows us to survey the entire landscape of existing and potential variants to design new vaccines against the most threatening viruses. Octavia can also inform public health policy in real time by predicting the impact of emerging variants. Apriori was founded in 2020 in Flagship Labs, a unit of Flagship Pioneering.

Apriori Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company with an ambitious and exciting mission: to provide humanity with variant-resilient protection against rapidly-evolving viruses.  The company is developing a revolutionary approach to this challenge and recruiting a team of top-tier scientists to develop its Octavia™ platform.

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Scientist specializing in Protein Expression and Purification to join our dynamic research team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins to support our vaccine discovery and development programs. This position requires an understanding of protein chemistry & structure, great wet lab skills, and a team-oriented approach to deliver high-quality results within project timelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Protein Expression: Transfection of plasmids into mammalian cells to express key viral proteins.
• Protein Purification: Design, optimize, and execute protocols for the purification of recombinant proteins using various chromatography techniques (e.g., affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion).
• Biophysical Characterization: Perform biophysical characterization of purified proteins, including but not limited to, SDS-PAGE, analytical SEC, and Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF).
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Maintain detailed records of experimental designs, data, and results. Analyze and interpret data for presentation to key stakeholders.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborate closely with design team to determine protein constructs with optimal stability and functionality.

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related field, industry experience with an emphasis on protein expression, purification, and characterization preferred.
• Technical Skills: 
• Suspension cell culturing of mammalian cell lines
• Transient transfection of plasmid DNA
• Protein purification via column chromatography, experience with AKTAs
• Biochemical/Biophysical analysis
• Computer Skills: Proficient in data analysis software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism) and laboratory software (e.g., AKTA Unicorn, HPLC software).
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Team Player: Proven ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

Values and Behaviors

We are seeking individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit, strong communication skills, and comfort working in and contributing to a dynamic and cross-functional team environment. The level of the role will be commensurate with the education and years of experience of the identified candidate.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.