Flagship Labs 111: Cell Biology Co-Op

• Design and execute cell-based experiments characterizing novel heterobifunctional molecules in cancer cell models.


• Maintain, expand, and qualify a panel of cancer cell lines for ongoing studies.


• Plan and run compound treatment experiments, including concentration-response, time-course, and combination studies.


• Execute cell proliferation and viability assays to evaluate cellular response to treatment.


• Perform Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, and other cell-based PD assays to assess target engagement, pathway modulation, and downstream molecular effects.


• Analyze data, generate figures and summaries, and interpret results against experimental hypotheses.


• Review results with the team; help identify follow-up experiments, controls, and troubleshooting steps.


• Develop, optimize, and document protocols to support reproducible execution across studies.


• Maintain complete, accurate records in an electronic lab notebook (ELN) — conditions, calculations, observations, deviations, raw data, and conclusions.


• Present findings to scientists and project teams; collaborate with biology and chemistry colleagues on experimental planning and molecule characterization.

• Cell lines consistently maintained and used with sound culture practice and documentation.


• PD datasets with appropriate vehicle and positive/negative controls, documented replicates, and fit-for-purpose data-quality checks.


• Clear analysis and interpretation of concentration-response and PD data.


• Protocols documented well enough for another scientist to reproduce.


• Complete, traceable ELN records from planning through analysis.


• Clear communication of findings, limitations, and recommended next steps.


• Growing independence in design, execution, troubleshooting, and interpretation.

• Pursuing a BS or MS in Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or related field.


• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience, ideally with cancer cell lines.


• Experience running controlled cell-based experiments with small-molecule compound treatment.


• Hands-on experience with at least one of: Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, cell proliferation/viability assays.


• Working knowledge of experimental controls, replicates, dilution calculations, and basic quantitative analysis.


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducible, high-quality data.


• Ability to follow and write protocols, and maintain accurate documentation.


• Ability to work independently at the bench while flagging observations, unexpected results, and uncertainties promptly.


• Strong organizational and communication skills; comfortable in a multidisciplinary research environment.

• Prior industry, academic, or co-op experience with cancer cell models.


• Experience with concentration-response and time-course experiments.


• Experience generating and interpreting dose-response curves and PD datasets.


• GraphPad Prism or similar software experience.


• Familiarity with oncology drug discovery, targeted therapies, or heterobifunctional molecules.


• Experience troubleshooting and optimizing cell-based assays.
  
  

About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation 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.

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 FL116's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.