Research Associate II, Biology (Neuroscience)

About Voyager

 Voyager Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VYGR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to breaking through barriers in gene therapy and neurology. The potential of both disciplines has been constrained by delivery challenges; Voyager is leveraging innovative expertise in capsid discovery and deep neuropharmacology capabilities to address these constraints. Voyager’s TRACER AAV capsid discovery platform has generated novel capsids with high target delivery and blood-brain barrier penetration at low doses, potentially addressing the narrow therapeutic window associated with conventional gene therapy delivery vectors. This platform is fueling alliances with Pfizer Inc., Novartis and Neurocrine Biosciences as well as multiple programs in Voyager’s own pipeline. Voyager’s pipeline includes preclinical programs in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), each with validated targets and biomarkers to enable a path to rapid potential proof-of-biology. For more information, visit www.voyagertherapeutics.com

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated biologist to contribute to our biochemical, molecular biology, and in vivo research team at our facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is an ideal position for an individual with a background in vivo biology, molecular biology, and biochemical methods, who thrives in a team-oriented, fast-paced, and cross-disciplinary small biotech environment. The individual will work at the bench on multiple projects and be responsible for experimental execution and data analysis for research studies supporting therapeutic programs and platform discovery research. We are looking for prior hands-on experience with DNA/protein purification, ELISA, PCR, western blot, mouse handling, perfusion, and tissue collection.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support of rodent in vivo experiments, animal handling, and test article dosing via various administration routes (IP, IM, IV etc). Experience with stereotactic brain surgery is preferred.
• Rodent perfusion, necropsy, dissection, and tissue collection including serum & CSF collection.
• Ex vivo tissue analysis (tissue processing, DNA/protein purification, ELISA, western blot, RT-qPCR, etc.) and independent data analyses
• Closely collaborate with research scientists to execute in vivo studies utilizing rodent models to support AAV-based gene therapy research and development for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Perform biochemical and tissue-based assays to support project development and target validation.

Requirements:

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology or related discipline
• Outstanding problem-solving skills
• Minimum 1 to 3 years of hands-on experience with biochemical and in vivo techniques including tissues processing, protein purification, ELISA, Western blot, mouse handling, perfusion, and tissue collections.
• Can independently manage and troubleshoot small and large rodent studies for in vivo and ex vivo endpoints. Hands-on experience with rodent handling, tissue dissection and data analysis
• Experience with design, documentation, and execution of experiments
• Ability to be highly productive in a fluid and fast-paced work environment.
• Scientific and team-directed communication skills
• Must be organized and efficient in processing samples and performing analyses on a consistent schedule.

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience with animal handling
• Experience on cross-functional therapeutic program teams
• Experience within a start-up or small biotech environment