--- title: 'Scientist I at Sail Biomedicines' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-i-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-e9n5yhd2xeak' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Scientist I at Sail Biomedicines - **Company:** Sail Biomedicines - **Location:** Cambridge, MA - **Posted:** 2026-08-31 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sendabiosciences/jobs/8756345002 ## Job description About Sail: Sail Biomedicines is pioneering the integrative design and deployment of fully programmable medicines to transform patient care. Sail's platform combines first-in-class programmable circular RNA technology (Endless RNA™ or eRNA), and an industry-leading platform of programmable nanoparticles, utilizing natural components, to unlock comprehensive programming of medicines for the first time. By leveraging cutting-edge eRNA and nanoparticle deployment technology, Sail is also making unparalleled use of AI techniques to identify and design fully programmable medicines that are potent, targeted, versatile, and tunable. Sail was founded by Flagship Pioneering. The Role: Sail Biomedicines is seeking a motivated Scientist I to join our Preclinical and Translational Assays team. This role will develop, optimize, and execute bioassays to characterize biological activity, mechanism, and immune responses for candidates enabled by Sail’s eRNA™ This is a lab-based, onsite role with substantial hands-on experimental work, collaborative problem-solving, and close partnership with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in Automation, mammalian cell culture, multiparameter flow cytometry, serology/immunoassays, qPCR, and excellent scientific documentation. Working within the team, you will generate high-quality data, troubleshoot assays, and contribute to advancing Sail’s platform and pipeline. Responsibilities: Bioassay Development & Execution - Develop, optimize, and execute cell-based and immunoassay workflows and pharmacology readouts (e.g., potency/functional assays, biomarker assays, serology). - Design and build multiparameter flow cytometry panels (marker selection, antibody titrations, controls, compensation, gating strategy) for preclinical in vivo study readouts and human PBMC samples. - Develop and run serology assays (e.g., binding antibody, neutralization/surrogate neutralization where applicable, cytokine/chemokine readouts) using ELISA, MSD, or related platforms. - Qualify/validate assays as appropriate: establish accuracy/precision, sensitivity, range, robustness, and implement cross-study controls and reference standards. - Own assay readiness: generate SOPs, templates, and training materials; ensure reproducibility and knowledge transfer. Sample Operations & Study Support - Coordinate sample receipt, accessioning, and tracking from internal studies and CRO-supported work; maintain chain-of-custody, storage conditions, and inventory. - Perform sample processing (e.g., human and NHP PBMC isolation, plasma/serum handling), ensuring consistency and biosafety compliance. Data, Documentation & Collaboration - Analyze, interpret, and summarize data; maintain rigorous records in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and associated databases. - Present findings internally (lab meetings, project teams) with clear conclusions, limitations, and next steps. - Partner with cross-functional teams e.g. Immunology, Analytics, and Computational/AI teams to define assay requirements, experimental design, and data structure/metadata. - Contribute to reports, tech memos, and experiments that support IP and regulatory-facing documentation where relevant. - Manage multiple concurrent experiments while maintaining high standards for lab safety, quality, and timelines. Required Qualifications: - M.S./PhD in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related field. - 2–4+ years relevant laboratory experience (industry preferred). - Hands-on experience with multiparameter flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture; experience with one or more of: Automation, PBMC isolation, qPCR, ELISA/MSD, or related immunoassays. - Working knowledge of assay development principles (controls, standard curves, variability, qualification/validation concepts). - Strong experimental design and troubleshooting skills; able to optimize protocols and document changes clearly. - Excellent organization and time management; able to prioritize and execute in a fast-paced environment. - Strong written/verbal communication, including presenting data and writing concise summaries. - Self-directed, collaborative, detail-oriented; demonstrates scientific curiosity and integrity. Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with Lab Automation including but not limited to Liquid Handlers (Hamilton, Biomek) - Experience working with non-human primate (NHP) samples and associated biosafety practices. - Basic working knowledge of biostatistics (e.g., variability, curve fitting, outlier handling, assay acceptance criteria). - Experience with FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, and Microsoft Office (Excel/PowerPoint); familiarity with ELN best practices. - Experience in a matrixed project environment supporting multiple programs. Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 Sail Biomedicines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sail does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. ## About Sail Biomedicines ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Sail Biomedicines is pioneering a fully programmable RNA medicines platform by combining proprietary circular RNA technology (eRNA) with targeted nanoparticles and generative AI to treat autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, and rare diseases. - **Entity Type**: Private (backed by Flagship Pioneering, formed in October 2023) - **Headquarters**: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - **Founded**: October 2023 (formed from the combination of first-in-category technologies within the Flagship Pioneering ecosystem, bringing together more than eight years of combined data) - **Founders**: The company was formed by Flagship Pioneering; key leadership includes John Mendlein, J.D., Ph.D. (Executive Chairman), Gene Marcantonio, M.D., Ph.D. (Chief Medical Officer), Amy Espeseth (SVP, Platform), and others. ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / RNA Therapeutics / Drug Discovery - **Target customers**: B2B / Biopharma partnerships; ultimate customers are patients with chronic and serious diseases (autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, rare) - **Mission statement**: "We work at the frontier of programmable medicines. We power our bioplatform and product candidates by harnessing evolution and AI. We operate with purpose and urgency on behalf of people everywhere. We aim to generate life-changing impact for the world." ## Products & Services - **Sail Platform (Endless RNA™ / eRNA™)**: A novel class of translatable, stable circular RNA. Unlike conventional linear mRNA, eRNA is protected from exonuclease degradation, leading to prolonged protein expression in vivo (days vs. 1-2 days for mRNA). This enables less frequent dosing and opens the door for treating chronic diseases requiring intracellular or transmembrane protein replacement. - **Targeted Nanoparticles (TNPs)**: A modular, clinically validated lipid nanoparticle core conjugated with disease-specific targeting ligands. These TNPs enable precise, extra-hepatic delivery of eRNA cargo to specific cell types, minimizing off-target exposure. The same core can be rapidly adapted with different ligands. - **Generative AI & Data Platform**: Proprietary AI algorithms integrated with high-throughput prototyping to design both the RNA sequence and the nanoparticle delivery system in an integrated manner, aiming to program medicines to spec. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Funding**: Not publicly disclosed. As a Flagship Pioneering portfolio company, it benefits from substantial, long-term venture funding typical of Flagship’s "venture creation" model. The company was formed in 2023, so it is in an early-stage, pre-revenue R&D phase. - **Key Metric**: Total funding is not publicly available; the company is privately held and was formed through an internal combination of assets from Flagship’s ecosystem (including Laronde and Senda Biosciences). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Flagship Pioneering is the founding and primary backer. The company's leadership includes experienced executives from the Flagship network. - **Growth Signals**: The company is actively hiring across multiple senior roles (Senior Director of Delivery, Director of Translational Biology, Associate Director of Clinical Supply Chain, Senior Scientist in Data Science), indicating a ramp-up from platform development toward preclinical and early clinical activities. ## Competitive Advantages - **Most Complete Toolkit**: Sail claims to have the industry's only platform that integrates programmable pharmacology (eRNA) with programmable deployment (TNPs) and AI-driven design, all in one system. - **Durable eRNA**: The circular RNA technology offers significantly longer protein expression than linear mRNA, a major differentiator for chronic disease applications. - **Modular Nanoparticle Platform**: The TNP core is clinically validated and can be rapidly re-targeted by swapping ligands without reformulating the core, enabling faster path to IND for multiple indications. - **AI-Powered Integration**: The company generates proprietary functional data at high throughput to train AI models that design both the RNA and the nanoparticle in an integrated manner, a capability few competitors have. - **Flagship Ecosystem Backing**: Deep resources, long-term capital, and a history of building category-defining biotechs (Moderna, etc.) provide a strong foundation. ## Strategic Focus - **Current priorities**: Advancing the eRNA-TNP platform toward the clinic; building out the AI/digital sciences team; expanding the pipeline in autoimmune, metabolic, infectious, and rare diseases; demonstrating in vivo proof-of-concept for extra-hepatic targeting with TNPs. - **Direction for growth**: Moving from platform R&D to IND-enabling studies and first-in-human trials; establishing partnerships with larger pharma for specific indications; scaling the manufacturing process for eRNA and TNPs. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: "We work at the frontier of programmable medicines. We operate with purpose and urgency on behalf of people everywhere." The company emphasizes a culture of excellence, shared dedication, and groundbreaking science. - **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Roles are listed in Cambridge, MA, suggesting an on-site or hybrid model at the headquarters (140 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02141). - **Notable Perks** (from careers page): - Generous salary and employee stock option plan - Competitive health, dental, and vision benefits - Retirement savings program - Paid parental, adoption, and caregiver leave - Long- and short-term disability and life insurance - Employee assistance program - Free parking, monthly subway pass, or subsidized commuter rail pass - Free lunch every week and a kitchen stocked with healthy snacks - **Engineering/Science Culture**: The company is building a "bioplatform" that integrates AI, data science, and high-throughput experimentation. This is an ideal environment for scientists and engineers who want to work at the intersection of computational biology, machine learning, and RNA therapeutics. The team includes leaders in AI and digital sciences, pharmacology, and nanoparticle delivery. ## Sources 1. [sail.bio](https://www.sail.bio/) 2. [sail.bio - About Us](https://www.sail.bio/about-us/) 3. [sail.bio - Our Science](https://www.sail.bio/our-science/) 4. [sail.bio - Careers](https://www.sail.bio/careers/) 5. [Greenhouse Job Board](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sendabiosciences) ## Other roles at Sail Biomedicines - [Research Associate II, Preclinical Manufacturing](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-ii-preclinical-manufacturing-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-49vd1degc0y1) — Cambridge, MA - [Senior Research Associate, Platform RNA Sciences](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-platform-rna-sciences-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-c0n3by59f31b) — Cambridge, MA - [Senior Research Associate, High-Throughput RNA Production](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-high-throughput-rna-production-sail-biomedicines-ytr4fcfv77pt) — Cambridge, MA - [Scientist, Platform RNA Sciences](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-platform-rna-sciences-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-x5e3e1ccssb8) — Cambridge, MA - [Senior Research Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-11ngttpwsden) — Cambridge, MA - [Associate Scientist, Formulation, Pilot Lab](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-scientist-formulation-pilot-lab-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-v21s80qjbt2a) — Cambridge, MA - [Associate Project Manager / Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-project-manager-project-manager-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-mwz44mhbz3pz) — Cambridge, MA - [Senior Scientist I, Data Science](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-i-data-science-sail-biomedicines-cambridge-sb4vx0r1ga9s) — Cambridge, MA - [Scientist I](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-i-imu-biosciences-london-kdwxjdtrwdsw) — London, United Kingdom - [Scientist I](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-i-veracyte-south-san-francisco-california-wtkfbq31xd24) — South San Francisco California, United States