Etiome: Translational Biology / Target Validation Co-Op

• 
  
  Design and execute disease-relevant cell-based experiments to evaluate novel therapeutic targets and biological hypotheses.
  
  


• 
  
  Perform mammalian cell culture using established cell lines and/or primary human cells, including cell maintenance, experimental treatment, perturbation, and sample collection.
  
  


• 
  
  Support functional target validation, potentially including gene knockdown or other target-perturbation approaches.
  
  


• 
  
  Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot in vitro assays and experimental conditions to model disease-relevant biological processes.
  
  


• 
  
  Perform molecular and cellular biology techniques including: RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, qPCR, ELISA and MSD-based immunoassays
  
  


• 
  
  Additional biochemical or imaging-based assays depending on project needs
  
  


• 
  
  Analyze and interpret experimental results using appropriate quantitative approaches and relate findings to the underlying biological hypothesis.
  
  


• 
  
  Perform literature reviews to support experimental design, pathway analysis, target biology, and interpretation of results.
  
  


• 
  
  Integrate results across multiple experimental readouts to help determine whether targets meet predefined validation criteria.
  
  


• 
  
  Maintain detailed and accurate experimental records in electronic laboratory notebooks and organize datasets for downstream analysis.
  
  


• 
  
  Present experimental results and conclusions during Biology team and project meetings.
  
  

Key requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or master program in Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.


• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology with hands-on laboratory research or a prior co-op experience.


• Experience with mammalian cell culture; experience working with primary human cells is a plus. Hands-on experience with one or more of the following:
  
  
  
  • qPCR
  
  
  • RNA/DNA isolation
  
  
  • ELISA or other immunoassays
  
  
  • Western blotting
  
  
  • Cell-based functional assays
  
  
  • Microscopy or quantitative imaging
  
  
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experiments and critically evaluate experimental results.


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to rigorous, reproducible experimental work.


• Excellent organizational, documentation, and communication skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.

Preferred qualifications

• Previous research experience in disease biology, functional genomics, target validation, or drug discovery.


• Experience with gene perturbation approaches such as siRNA, CRISPR, or related technologies.


• Experience developing or optimizing cell-based assays.


• Experience working with cell culture

What You Will Gain

• During the co-op, the candidate will have the opportunity to:
  
  
  
  • Experience how human biological datasets are translated into therapeutic hypotheses and novel drug targets.
  
  
  • Participate in target validation programs from experimental design through data interpretation and decision-making.
  
  
  • Work closely with experienced scientists in a collaborative, multidisciplinary biotechnology environment.
  
  
  • Develop scientific communication skills through regular presentation and discussion of experimental results.
  
  
  • Gain a broader understanding of the drug discovery process and the criteria used to advance or deprioritize therapeutic targets.
  
  
  
  

What We Offer

• Build alongside founders. You’ll work inside the same hypothesis-driven process Flagship uses to conceive and launch first-in-category companies.


• This can be the start of a longer story. Strong co-ops are considered for future opportunities across Flagship and its portfolio companies, not just for this one role.


• Work alongside people who left the safe path. Your colleagues are scientists, engineers, and operators who chose to build something new rather than join something already established.


• Take on real ownership. You're contributing to ventures that are still being defined. Your work can shape real decisions, not just support them.


• Be paid like the contributor you are. Compensation reflects the real work you take on.

Flagship Pioneering is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

The pay range for this role is $25 - $35 per hour. This role is a short-term engagement that is not eligible for health and welfare benefits. Retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours. Compensation and benefits information is based on Etiome, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.