--- title: 'Senior Research Associate, Oligonucleotide Chemistry at Tessera Therapeutics' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-oligonucleotide-chemistry-tessera-therapeutics-vm03rcg2830t' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-19' --- # Senior Research Associate, Oligonucleotide Chemistry at Tessera Therapeutics - **Company:** Tessera Therapeutics - **Location:** Somerville, MA - **Posted:** 2026-09-16 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/tesseratherapeutics/jobs/5240104007 ## Job description ## Your experience includes… - BS/MS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 5+ years (BS) or 3+ years (MS) of relevant industry experience - Experience with upstream and downstream processing of oligonucleotides - Must have experience with Mermade192 and Mermade12 synthesizers - Experience with Äkta100 oligonucleotide synthesizer is a plus - Experience with HPLC purification and analytics of guide RNA preferred - Experience with enzymatic ligation techniques is a plus - Experience using ELNs to document experimental results is a plus You are interested in… - Performing small scale, high throughput internal production of guide RNA to support platform research and pre-clinical activities - Optimizing synthetic reactions and purification methods of drug candidates to ensure scalable and cost-effective processes for oligonucleotide manufacturing - Working in collaboration with the Internal Manufacturing team during process transfer - Participating in cross-functional teams and training to gain familiarity in all stages of oligonucleotide research and manufacturing About you: You are a skilled and self-motivated individual who can optimize and implement processes for synthesizing and purifying complex oligonucleotides. You can operate in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot instruments, and document operations independently and as part of a team. You will have the opportunity to organize and present results within the group and interface with other teams, so strong communication skills are critical.  You enjoy overcoming challenges in collaboration with colleagues. Tessera employees are creative and collaborative problem solvers. They have a strong sense of integrity and unwavering commitment to scientific excellence. Meet your Manager: All inquiries regarding the posted position should be directed to the Talent Partner (see below). Interested individuals must apply directly to be considered for the opening. [Cody Pasko – Senior Scientist, Oligo Foundry](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-pasko-65b170115/) Cody obtained a Masters in Chemistry at Michigan State University, focusing on organometallic catalysis. He has over 9 years of experience working at CROs and CDMOs, most recently being Nitto Avecia where he served as a project lead in the oligonucleotide process development group. At Tessera, he leads a team involved in the development and production of oligonucleotide drug substances, both internally and externally. Meet your Talent Partner: [Ben Hoogheem – Senior Director, Head of Talent Management](https://www.linkedin.com/in/labcoat2sportcoat/) As Head of Talent Management at Tessera Therapeutics, Ben leads Tessera’s talent strategy across talent acquisition, performance management, and talent mobility. Ben began his career as an in vivo Pharmacologist, which gave him a lasting appreciation for the rigor, creativity, and collaboration that drive scientific discovery. That foundation continues to shape how he helps build organizations designed to enable science thrive. Ben is focused on aligning exceptional people with bold science – creating the structure, clarity, and culture that empower teams to scale effectively and achieve meaningful impact. Compensation: The stated base salary range represents Tessera’s good-faith estimate for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors, including but not limited to individual qualifications, years of relevant experience, internal compensation alignment, and external market data. Tessera offers a competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness, and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits currently include group medical, vision, and dental coverage; group life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with company contribution; tuition reimbursement; and more. This position is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus and equity grants as part of Tessera’s total rewards program. Per Year Salary Range: $90,000 - $108,000 USD Company Summary: Tessera Therapeutics is pioneering Gene Writing™— a new biotechnology designed to offer scientists and clinicians the ability to write small and large therapeutic messages into the genome, thereby curing diseases at their source. Gene Writing holds the potential to become a new category in genetic medicine, building upon recent breakthroughs in gene therapy and gene editing while eliminating important limitations in their reach, utilization, and efficacy. More about Tessera Therapeutics: Tessera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic identified by federal, state, or local laws where we operate. Tessera provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. To begin an interactive dialogue with Tessera regarding a reasonable accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied, please contact the recruiter or Accommodations@tesseratx.com Recruitment & Staffing Agencies:  Tessera Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Tessera Therapeutics or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Tessera Therapeutics’ internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Tessera Therapeutics, and Tessera Therapeutics will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto. ## About Tessera Therapeutics ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Tessera Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering Gene Writing™, a novel genome engineering approach designed to write therapeutic messages into the genome to cure diseases at their source. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series B; total funding raised: $773.1M) - **Headquarters**: Somerville, Massachusetts, United States - **Founded**: 2020 (incorporated within Flagship Pioneering) - **Founders**: Spun out of Flagship Pioneering; founding team includes Noubar Afeyan, Geoffrey von Maltzahn, and others associated with Flagship. ## Core Business - Primary industry/industries: Biotechnology Research, Genetic Medicine - Target customers: B2B (pharma/biotech partners like Regeneron) and B2G (grants from ARPA-H, Gates Foundation); enterprise focus on developing therapeutic candidates for monogenic diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases (e.g., HIV). - Mission or purpose statement: “To cure disease by writing in the code of life.” ## Products & Services - **[Gene Writing™ Platform]**: A proprietary technology designed to make small and large permanent alterations to the human genome using engineered gene writers derived from mobile genetic elements. - **[Non-viral LNP Delivery Platform]**: A tissue-targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system designed to deliver gene writers to specific tissues (e.g., liver, T cells, hematopoietic stem cells) for in vivo applications. - **[TSRA-196 (Lead Program)]**: An in vivo gene editing investigational therapy for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) that has received both FDA Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation. - **[Pipeline Programs]**: Preclinical programs in sickle cell disease, in vivo CAR-T applications for oncology/autoimmune diseases, and HIV cure approaches (funded by a Gates Foundation/ARPA-H grant). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company) - **Key Metric**: Total Funding of $773.1M raised across 8 rounds; latest grant (2025-11-08): $41.3M from ARPA-H; latest corporate round (2025-12-01): $150M led by Regeneron. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Flagship Pioneering (founder), SoftBank Vision Fund, Alaska Permanent Fund, Regeneron (strategic partner), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ARPA-H. - **Growth Signals**: - Received FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation for TSRA-196 (first in vivo gene editing program for AATD to reach this milestone). - Entered into a major collaboration with Regeneron (2025) to develop gene writing therapies. - Expanding into new disease areas (HIV cure, autoimmune, oncology). - Preclinical data presented at ASGCT (April/May 2026) for sickle cell disease and in vivo CAR-T. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary Gene Writing Technology**: A distinct approach to genome engineering that can make both small and large alterations, including writing new genetic sequences into the genome—differentiating it from gene editing (e.g., CRISPR) which only cuts or corrects. - **Endogenous LNP Delivery**: Early mover in non-viral, tissue-targeted delivery for in vivo genetic medicine, reducing the need for viral vectors. - **Flagship Pioneering Ecosystem**: Deep connection to Flagship provides access to capital, talent, and innovative R&D infrastructure. - **Strong IP Moat**: Extensive patent portfolio around Gene Writers and delivery systems. ## Strategic Focus - **Current Priorities**: - Advancing TSRA-196 toward clinical trials (IND clearance recently achieved). - Developing next-generation Gene Writers with improved efficiency and specificity. - Expanding in vivo delivery capabilities to target T cells (for CAR-T oncology/autoimmune) and hematopoietic stem cells (for sickle cell). - Pursuing HIV cure via a grant-supported program. - **Direction for Growth**: Transition from platform discovery company to a clinical-stage therapeutic developer, building an internal pipeline while partnering strategically (e.g., Regeneron). ## Why Work Here - **Culture Highlights**: Values are explicitly defined: Collaborative, Rigorous, Agile, Tenacious, Community. Described as an inclusive, purpose-driven culture of change makers. - **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Office-based in Somerville, MA (no fully remote positions currently posted); free onsite gym, bike storage, commuter stipend, and free snack bars. - **Notable Perks**: - Unlimited PTO, 12 paid holidays, 7 “gift of time” days off (including company-wide winter and summer breaks). - Generous medical/dental/vision plans (employer contributions), 401k employer match, company-paid life and disability. - Wellness discounts (gym memberships, equipment, athletic gear), Employee Assistance Program. - Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), volunteerism program, open office hours with CEO/CHRO/R&D Leadership. - **Engineering/Lab Culture**: Heavy R&D focus—49% of employees are in Research; emphasis on cutting-edge genomics, delivery science, and early therapeutic development. - **Talent Signals**: Recent departures and staffing reductions (-39.8% YoY headcount to 210) suggest a strategic pivot/refocus; current active job postings (4 contracts) indicate cautious hiring aligned with pipeline milestones. - **Ideal Candidate**: Passionate about genetic medicine, comfortable with high-science/high-risk early-stage biotech, thrives in a collaborative and rigorous wet-lab environment. ## Sources 1. [Tessera Therapeutics Official Website](https://www.tesseratherapeutics.com/) 2. [Tessera Therapeutics Careers Page](https://www.tesseratherapeutics.com/careers) 3. [Tessera Therapeutics Leadership Page](https://www.tesseratherapeutics.com/leadership) 4. [Tessera Therapeutics Focus Areas](https://www.tesseratherapeutics.com/focus-areas) 5. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tessera-therapeutics) ## Other roles at Tessera Therapeutics - [Research Associate II, Cell Therapy Platform](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-ii-cell-therapy-platform-tessera-therapeutics-somerville-y1jp5672sx25) — Somerville, MA - [Senior Scientist, Computational Biology](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-computational-biology-tessera-therapeutics-somerville-bygmr6xwfbs6) — Somerville, MA - [Medical Monitor/Senior Medical Monitor, Hematology](https://feeny.ai/job/medical-monitor-senior-medical-monitor-hematology-tessera-therapeutics-qz11gngqmr5j) — Somerville, MA - [Associate Director, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-clinical-operations-tessera-therapeutics-somerville-a8aykvrnedy2) — Somerville, MA - [Careers@Tessera](https://feeny.ai/job/careers-tessera-tessera-therapeutics-somerville-ywbgb4ejq6gg) — Somerville, MA