Scientist, Biocatalysis & Protein Engineering

Overview:

The Scientist, Biocatalysis & Protein Engineering will discover, engineer, characterize, and optimize biocatalysts for oligonucleotide and small-molecule manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will develop and apply protein engineering strategies, high-throughput screening platforms, and enzyme characterization workflows to identify and advance biocatalysts with improved activity, stability, selectivity, and manufacturability. Working closely with cross-functional teams and external partners, this individual will accelerate enzyme development from discovery through process implementation.

This onsite position is based at our Kendall Square offices in Cambridge, MA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute enzyme discovery and protein engineering campaigns using directed evolution, rational design, and library generation strategies to improve enzyme performance.
• Develop and implement high-throughput screening and selection assays to assess enzyme activity, stability, substrate scope, and reaction performance.
• Design, construct, and characterize enzyme variant libraries using molecular biology, recombinant protein expression, and protein purification techniques.
• Develop automated workflows and use liquid-handling platforms to enable efficient screening of large enzyme libraries.
• Characterize engineered enzymes using biochemical, biophysical, and analytical methods to guide candidate selection and process development.
• Collaborate with computational biology, analytical sciences, process development, and external CRO and CMO partners to accelerate biocatalyst optimization.
• Support the transfer of engineered enzymes into scalable manufacturing processes and contribute to process characterization activities.
• Author and review experimental protocols, technical reports, and development documentation supporting research, process development, and manufacturing activities.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline; M.S. with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or B.S. with at least 8 years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience in protein or enzyme engineering, directed evolution, or enzyme discovery.
• Hands-on expertise in molecular biology techniques, including cloning, mutagenesis, DNA assembly, and recombinant protein expression.
• Experience developing and executing high-throughput screening assays and analyzing large experimental datasets.
• Strong knowledge of enzyme kinetics, structure-function relationships, and protein characterization techniques.
• Experience with laboratory automation, liquid-handling platforms, or high-throughput experimentation is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with biocatalysis applications in small-molecule, oligonucleotide, or pharmaceutical process development.
• Strong skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and experimental design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovation-driven research environment.

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics - a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what's possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's Candidate Privacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

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