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Scientist - Non-Viral Gene Delivery

Merge Labs· Bioengineering
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San Francisco Bay Area$120k - $215kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Scientist role in the Delivery team focusing on non-viral gene delivery technologies to enable neural biosensors/actuators, bridging molecular engineering and in vivo functionality for preclinical models and clinical translation.

Responsibilities

  • Identify the best non-viral delivery technologies wherever they exist and help to secure access through collaborations, material transfer agreements, or in-licensing.
  • Work hands-on in lab to formulate, adapt, and characterize LNPs, polymeric nanoparticles, and other non-viral vehicles for delivery of nucleic acid payloads to the central nervous system.
  • Define success criteria spanning both efficacy and tolerability, and develop the assays and readouts needed to measure them.
  • Design, run, and interpret in vivo studies in rodents and, where appropriate, large animal models, comparing candidate technologies head to head.
  • Evaluate approaches that pair non-viral technologies with ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier opening.
  • Assess durability of expression and the potential for repeat dosing, and weigh manufacturability and cost of goods alongside performance.
  • Collaborate with molecular engineering and neurobiology colleagues on payload design and expression requirements.
  • Operate independently and drive projects to a result, recruiting and mentoring research associate(s) over time as efforts expand.

Qualifications

  • A Ph.D. or equivalent experience leading research projects end-to-end in bioengineering, chemical engineering, drug delivery, neuroscience, molecular biology or a related field.
  • Prior hands-on experience with non-viral delivery vehicles including lipid nanoparticles or polymeric nanoparticles.
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing, optimizing, or critically evaluating gene delivery modalities.
  • Designed and executed in vivo studies and interpreted delivery and expression results.
  • Experience advancing a delivery technology through preclinical translation or into the clinic.
  • Worked on a delivery-related problem that is unusual or complex and loved it.
  • Enjoyed working on multidisciplinary teams, collaborating and communicating with experts across disciplines.
  • The desire to be part of a fast-paced team working on frontier scientific and technical problems.

Skills

Required:Non-viral delivery technologiesIn vivo study design and interpretation

Benefits

  • Not specified in the description
Last updated Oct 7, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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Meet Merge Labs – a research lab with the long-term mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency, and experience.

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