Scientist / Senior Scientist, Synthetic Virology for RNA Delivery

Apply on YC · Original job listing

• Role: Science / Biotechnology
• Experience: 3+ years
• Visa: US citizenship/visa not required

We are seeking a hands-on RNA virologist to engineer non-replicative VLP systems that package and deliver programmable RNA payloads in target pest insects.

You will build non-replicative viral particle systems that package and protect RNA cargo, deliver payloads into insect cells, amplify the delivered RNA, and express insecticidal payloads without producing replication-competent viruses. This is a hands-on bench role for someone who can move from viral reverse genetics and construct design to particle production, RNA QC, and payload-expression assays.

You will:

• Build a design-build-test workflow for engineered VLPs, packageable RNA cargoes, replicase-compatible payloads, and non-replicative production systems.
• Design and clone viral particle constructs, RNA cargoes, reporter systems, and split-component packaging systems.
• Engineer capsids, packaging elements, and replicase/payload architectures that function together as programmable RNA delivery vehicles.
• Develop QC assays for particle assembly, VLP yield, RNA packaging, nuclease-protected cargo, RNA integrity, RNA amplification, and payload expression.
• Produce VLPs at small scale for biochemical characterization, insect-cell testing, and insect bioassays.
• Troubleshoot failures across construct expression, capsid assembly, cargo packaging, host RNA contamination, particle recovery, RNA amplification, payload expression, and insect-cell delivery.

What You Bring

• PhD in virology, RNA virus genetics, RNA biology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, or a related field.