Description
Scientist/Senior Scientist, Biology Lead - Kidney Experience
About the Role
We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on, and scientifically rigorous Scientist/Senior Scientist with deep expertise in both in vitro and in vivo kidney biology, renal disease mechanisms, and translationally relevant kidney disease models to build and lead our kidney biology engine at a venture-backed startup biotech company. This individual will play a foundational role in establishing integrated in vitro and in vivo kidney research platforms that enable target discovery, mechanistic validation, therapeutic screening, and development candidate nomination for next-generation targeted genetic medicines.
Our therapeutic focus is on kidney diseases leveraging our novel ligand-guided siRNA delivery platform. The ideal candidate combines extensive bench expertise in renal cellular biology, kidney disease models, in vivo pharmacology/efficacy studies, and translational assay development, with a strong builder mentality suited for a fast-paced, venture-backed startup.
This is an unique opportunity to shape core scientific capabilities, work closely with executive leadership, and directly impact therapeutic programs from target discovery through preclinical development. This position is primarily on-site in Boston, MA.
Key Responsibilities
Kidney Biology Engine Development (Primary Focus)
- Build and lead the internal kidney biology platform spanning both in vitro and in vivo capabilities to support discovery and development of renal-targeted therapeutics
- Establish, optimize, and scale kidney disease-relevant cellular, molecular, and animal models
- Develop robust, scalable bioassays and experimental workflows to support:
- Kidney target biology validation
- Receptor expression, trafficking, and internalization characterization
- Ligand discovery and screening
- Ligand–siRNA conjugate uptake, endosomal escape, and functional knockdown
- In vivo PK/PD, biodistribution, efficacy, and biomarker analyses
- Design mechanistic assays and translational studies for kidney disease pathways relevant to therapeutic targets
Program Execution
- Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret complex in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies across multiple kidney disease programs
- Generate high-quality data packages to support discovery decisions, target prioritization, and development candidate nomination
- Drive scientific rigor in assay reproducibility, translational relevance, and platform scalability
In Vivo Biology and Translational Leadership
- Lead or significantly contribute to in vivo kidney disease studies, including efficacy, biodistribution, PK/PD, and mechanistic studies
- Support selection, management, and interpretation of external CRO or academic in vivo studies
- Integrate in vitro and in vivo findings to refine therapeutic hypotheses, delivery strategies, and biomarker plans
- Contribute to translational biology strategy supporting future IND-enabling development
Cross-functional Leadership
- Serve as a scientific leader across biology, platform, and therapeutic program needs
- Collaborate closely with chemistry, delivery, translational, regulatory, and external teams
- Help define scientific strategy for kidney therapeutic programs and platform evolution
Data, Communication, and Documentation
- Maintain rigorous industry standard ELN documentation
- Present findings to internal research team, leadership & external partners
- Contribute to patents, publications, study reports, and data presentations
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Nephrology, Renal Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or related field with 3–8+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry experience
- Deep expertise and extensive hands-on bench experience in both in vitro and in vivo kidney biology, kidney disease mechanisms, and translational renal models
- Strong technical expertise in mammalian cell culture (including different kidney cells), qPCR/RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, ELISA/MSD, Western blot, immunostaining, advanced imaging, and functional assay development
- Excellent scientific communication, problem-solving, and collaborative skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience in kidney therapeutics, nephrology, or precision medicine
- Direct experience with renal efficacy studies, PK/PD, biodistribution, or translational biomarker programs
- Experience with siRNA, ASO, mRNA, or nucleic acid therapeutics
- Experience with ligand-mediated or receptor-targeted delivery systems
- Prior startup biotech experience
What We Are Looking For
- Builder mindset with excitement to create new platform
- Hands-on leader who enjoys bench work
- Strong problem solver comfortable with ambiguity in a startup environment
- Collaborative team player
