Research Associate II - Senior Research Associate II, LNP Formulation & Drug Delivery

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures, and have raised over $150M to date. We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative researcher to join our LNP Formulation team. This role is central to our mission of advancing next-generation gene editing therapies. You will play a pivotal role in the formulation, characterization, and optimization of Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems, transitioning breakthrough AI-designed gene editors from the bench to in vivo applications. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with LNP formulation, process development and LNP characterization. This is an excellent opportunity to work cross-functionally with a diverse team of experts across AI and machine learning, protein design, cell biology, and gene editing.

Responsibilities Execute the formulation of LNPs encapsulating diverse gene editing payloads (mRNA, sgRNA) for in vitro validation and in vivo preclinical studies. Optimize LNP potency by conducting Design of Experiments (DOE) type of studies Implement process development (e.g. mixing optimization, TFF process optimization, buffer optimizations) in preparation for scaled-up production Perform routine and advanced LNP analytics, including particle size/polydispersity (e.g., dynamic light scattering), zeta potential, pKa determination, and encapsulation efficiency (e.g., RiboGreen assays) Collaborate closely with internal therapeutics translation teams and external CROs to advance multiple programs forward Maintain rigorous electronic laboratory records (ELN) and contribute to technical reports, patent applications, and future regulatory filings

Qualifications Research Associate II: BS with 2+ years of relevant industry experience. Senior Research Associate: MS with 2-4 years; OR BS with 4-6 years of relevant industry experience Proven hands-on experience with LNP production (e.g., microfluidic mixing, T-junction) and purification techniques (TFF, dialysis) Must have at least 2 years of experience working in an industry lab; 4+ years preferred Hands-on experience in nanoparticle characterization tools and techniques related to nucleic acid quantification A rigorous approach to experimental planning and data analysis; attention to experimental details and ability to identify subtle deviations and troubleshoot formulation inconsistencies effectively Functional proficiency in GraphPad Prism for data analysis, including generating scientific graphs and performing routine statistical tests (e.g., t-tests and ANOVA) Excellent verbal and written skills with a demonstrated ability to summarize complex datasets for diverse stakeholders Preferences Familiarity with automation or robotic platforms for rapid formulation library generation Practical knowledge of DOE (Design of Experiments) software such as JMP or Design-Expert for systematic formulation screening and optimization Experience with LC-based analysis tools for lipids and RNA (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, UPLC-CAD) An agile, "growth-oriented" approach with the ability to pivot and adapt to the evolving needs of an early-stage research environment What We Offer High-growth opportunity with meaningful impact on the future of protein design Competitive