Founding Scientist, Molecular Biology
Boston
Virology Division – R&D /
Full Time /
On-site
The Company
Vault Authority is on track to decisively solve safety and redosability for AAVs. By shielding AAVs in a protein nanoparticle, the AAV is not only protected from neutralizing antibodies, but actively endocytosed by cells at a much higher rate than native AAV transduction. The higher transduction efficiency makes one dose of our technology ~5x cheaper than WT AAV, rendering our platform pareto-superior to legacy AAV therapies. The path ahead is crystal-clear and our only bottleneck is how quickly we can move forward. Apply to join our team today.
We're backed by world-class investors including Thiel Capital, Long Journey Ventures, Scott Banister, Balaji Srinivasan and Soma Capital.
$120,000 - $200,000 a year
The Role
• Architect critical molecular biology strategies for our vault-AAV (VAAV) platform and advanced gene therapy programs—encompassing novel plasmid design, GMP-oriented scale-up, and viral vector production.
• Oversee and coordinate Research Associates and junior scientists, ensuring project milestones are met while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations with CROs and CDMOs to align technical requirements and ensure on-time delivery.
• Develop and refine QC protocols (e.g., ddPCR, qPCR, Western blot, SDS-PAGE), continually optimizing workflows for robust yields, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage vendor and stakeholder relationships—overseeing budgets, defining project scopes, and securing critical materials.
• Foster a high-performance culture by mentoring team members, setting clear objectives, and providing leadership in troubleshooting complex molecular workflows.
• Remain current with emerging tools and breakthroughs in molecular biology to drive continuous innovation in our gene therapy capabilities.
Qualifications
• Demonstrated passion for pioneering molecular biology solutions in gene therapy or related biotech.
• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related discipline (or equivalent industry background).
• 4+ years of postdoc or industry experience with a successful track record in designing and producing plasmids, viral vectors, and recombinant proteins is preferred.
• Expertise in advanced molecular techniques (e.g., gene synthesis, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, large-scale plasmid production, virus purification) plus experience developing and implementing QC methods.
• Experience overseeing in vivo studies with transgenic mouse models or relevant animal work in a gene therapy context.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills, including vendor/CRO oversight and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Proven ability to develop junior staff, set priorities, and push projects forward under tight timelines in a dynamic research setting.
• Willingness to learn new tools, stay informed about cutting-edge methodologies, and contribute novel ideas to the evolution of our gene therapy platform.
• Experience at a large pharmaceutical company working in biologics or gene therapy is preferred.
Benefits
• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
• Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success
• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Additional Perks: Unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office
