Director, LNP Formulation

About Kernal Biologics, Inc. 

Kernal Bio is a venture-backed therapeutics company engineering cells inside the body using AI-designed, selective mRNA and targeted LNP technology. By developing in vivo CAR-T therapies, Kernal Bio is advancing precision treatments for autoimmune diseases and blood cancers. The company was founded by experts from MIT, Harvard, Merck, and BMS, and its leadership team brings a track record of three FDA-approved therapies and over 120 patents. Based in Boston, the company is backed by Hummingbird Ventures, Amgen, Lilly, HBM, ARPA-H, and NVIDIA. Kernal Bio is transforming the future of cell therapy design and delivery.

Job Summary:

Kernal is seeking an individual with deep expertise in RNA delivery space to lead our mRNA delivery efforts. This person will report to the SVP of R&D and will be responsible for overseeing the development novel LNP (lipid nanoparticle) systems for in vivo mRNA delivery to support our immuno-oncology and immunology efforts. The successful candidate must be able to work in a fast paced and highly dynamic biotech environment. Ideal candidate will be a leader and a great team player with excellent communication skills and effective, inspiring management style.

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee the development of novel LNP compositions
• Improve existing LNP formulations
• Manage company’s LNP team
• Advance targeted LNP delivery with novel approaches for in situ mRNA delivery
• Oversee physicochemical characterization of LNP formulations
• Work closely with internal teams and external collaborators and ensure delivery on key milestones
• Guide company’s RNA delivery strategy, with a particular emphasis on IP and key deliverables
• Stay up-to-date on RNA delivery literature and prepare technical reports and white papers
• Prepare technical documents and manuscripts for regulatory filings, IP prosecution, and publications
• Present scientific findings internally and externally at scientific conferences and industry events 

Requirements:

• PhD in chemical engineering, organic chemistry or a related field
• 8-10 years of hands-on experience with lipid nanoparticle systems for mRNA and/or siRNA delivery
• Experience with targeted LNPs and conjugation of biomaterials
• Experience with analytical techniques for LNPs such as HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, DLS, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectrophotometry, Ribogreen assay, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, flow cytometry (CytoFLEX nano, NanoFCM) etc.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Excellent record keeping skills (eLN)