Job Description

Seawolf Therapeutics is a venture-backed company based in San Diego, CA. We are an innovative and collaborative team developing DNA-based medicines that will be first-in-class and best-in-class long-acting therapeutics for patients living with unmet medical needs. Come join our team and be an agent of change.

Overview of Role

Seawolf Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and detail-oriented Scientist I/II to join our Payload Engineering team. This is a hands-on, on-site role with approximately 70% lab work and 30% experimental planning and data analysis. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with recombinant DNA bacterial cloning methods, cell-free synthetic biology approaches for manipulating nucleic acids, molecular biology techniques for analyzing nucleic acids, and processes for scaling up and purifying nucleic acids. The successful candidate will contribute to the research and development of novel nucleic acid–based drug substances, designing new expression cassettes, troubleshooting and optimizing analytical methods to characterize nucleic acids, innovating robust nucleic acid production workflows, analyzing complex datasets, and communicating results with a data-driven mindset. This role requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, can prioritize tasks based on strategic goals and timelines, and communicates effectively between cross-functional teams.

Job Responsibilities: What do we expect from you?

Research and Development

• Design and engineer novel DNA and RNA constructs, incorporating rational sequence design, regulatory elements, and structural features to optimize function and expression.
• Conduct in-depth reviews of scientific literature to identify new approaches, sequence designs, and modification strategies relevant to nucleic acid therapeutics.
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments to generate, purify, and analyze nucleic acid drug substances, including all DNA modalities.
• Implement synthetic biology and molecular cloning techniques to generate novel nucleic acid sequences when appropriate

Production and Analytics

• Support process optimization and small-scale production to generate research-grade material for in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Stay current with relevant scientific literature to incorporate best practices and new technologies into workflows
• Troubleshoot production issues, analyze data, and communicate results effectively to project leads.
• Evaluate nucleic acid quality and integrity using spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and other analytical methods.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records, batch documentation, and reagent inventories in compliance with internal quality standards.
• Collaborate with research teams to deliver high-purity, high-yield nucleic acid materials that meet project specifications.

Collaboration and Communication

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with external service providers that specialize in nucleic acid production to coordinate production projects and achieve timely deliverables.
• Prepare documents for technology transfer to external service providers.
• Act as a subject matter expert on genetic engineering, construct design, and method validation, offering guidance to internal and external teams
• Make detailed observations, analyze data, and communicate results clearly.

Laboratory Management and Compliance

• Manage and maintain a safe and organized lab, including equipment and supplies
• Maintain accurate lab records with good documentation practices.
• Write reports, author documents, and prepare SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs and, when applicable, GLP regulations
• QC study reports and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor or manage junior scientists.

Qualifications: Who You Are

• PhD in Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Chemical-Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 1-3+ years of relevant biotech industry experience
• Alternatively, a MS degree with 6+ years of relevant biotech industry experience or a BS degree with 9+ years of relevant biotech industry experience
• Demonstrated ability to research, interpret, communicate, and apply insights from primary literature to experimental design.
• Strong hands-on experience in molecular cloning and nucleic acid purification.
• Working knowledge of sequence design principles, codon optimization, nucleic acid secondary structure modeling, or therapeutic nucleic acid modalities is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience in mRNA and DNA synthesis, scale-up of DNA/mRNA production and purification workflows is a plus
• Skilled in nucleic acid characterization methods such as gel electrophoresis, qPCR, ddPCR, and sequencing.
• Experience with analytical or functional characterization of nucleic acids (e.g., stability, translation efficiency, or immunogenicity assays).
• Experience with non-viral or viral nucleic acid delivery systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with immunology or virology concepts and experimental approaches are valuable
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect mechanistic understanding to experimental outcomes and attention to detail.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple R&D projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving project priorities and ability to prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining accuracy.
• A team-oriented, startup mentality, willing to take on multiple responsibilities
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and providing technical support.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to lead and manage research projects, including mentoring junior staff
• Strong written skills, with experience authoring scientific reports, protocols, and SOPs.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous data documentation.
• Experience collaborating with CROs or external partners for molecular biology or nucleic acid-related projects is desirable

A commitment to collaborative leadership, management, teamwork, delegation and foster a professional culture based on trust and mutual respect in a fast-paced environment.

Authorization

• Applicants must have authorization to work in the US

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $100,000 – $145,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

Seawolf provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K, stock options and bonus.