Research Scientist II

Location

Atlanta, GA

The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology has vibrant undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 400 undergraduate majors and 170 graduate students, and an extensive research portfolio. Its faculty, staff, and students participate in a range of dynamic and collaborative research programs and enjoy modern facilities located on a pleasant urban campus in the City of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Research Scientist will serve as the primary scientific investigator for the EteRNAVax project, funded by GRA Ventures Phase IB. This position is responsible for executing all experimental work related to the formulation, optimization, and independent validation of hybrid lipid nanoparticles (hLNPs) as a high-performance nucleic acid delivery platform.

The researcher will carry out head-to-head benchmarking of hLNPs against electroporation and leading commercial transfection reagents in high-value cell systems, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), HEK
293, and CHO cells, using industry-standard protocols at the Marcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Manufacturing (Georgia Tech).

The Research Scientist will also lead formulation refinement, scalable manufacturing development using microfluidic mixing, data analysis, and coordination with external testing partners. Results generated in this role will directly support commercialization decisions regarding startup formation or licensing of the hLNP platform, and will contribute to engagement with RNA suppliers, biomanufacturing partners, and potential investors.

1. hLNP Formulation Optimization

• Refine hLNP lipid composition and physicochemical parameters for optimal transfection performance in iPSC, HEK
  293, and CHO cell systems.
• Systematically vary lipid ratios, ionizable lipid concentration, and formulation parameters (pH, ionic strength, lipid:RNA ratio) to maximize efficiency and minimize cellular stress.
• Characterize nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, and encapsulation efficiency assays.
• Maintain complete laboratory records of all formulations, parameters, and outcomes in accordance with institutional guidelines.

2. Microfluidic Device Design and Fabrication

• Design, test, and iterate microfluidic chip configurations (e.g., staggered herringbone mixers) for scalable, reproducible hLNP production.
• Coordinate cleanroom access, nanoprinting, and device fabrication at the Marcus Center.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for microfluidic hLNP manufacturing.
• Evaluate batch-to-batch reproducibility and confirm scale compatibility for future commercial production.

3. In Vitro Benchmarking and Transfection Studies

• Conduct head-to-head transfection comparisons of hLNPs versus electroporation and leading commercial reagents (e.g., Lipofectamine MessengerMAX, Expi Fectamine) in iPSCs, HEK
  293, and CHO cells.
• Quantify transfection efficiency using reporter assays (luciferase, GFP) and flow cytometry across mRNA, saRNA, and plasmid DNA payloads.
• Measure post‑transfection cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation/pluripotency marker retention (e.g., Oct4, Sox2, SSEA4) in iPSC experiments.
• Assess protein production yield (recombinant protein output per cell and per batch) in HEK
  293 and CHO systems under industrially relevant conditions.
• Evaluate cellular stress markers including reactive oxygen species (ROS), heat shock proteins, and apoptosis indicators across all cell systems and transfection methods.

4. Coordination with the Marcus Center for Biomanufacturing

• Prepare and ship hLNP formulations and associated documentation to support independent benchmarking studies at the Marcus Center.
• Coordinate experimental design, scheduling, and data transfer with Marcus Center staff under industry‑standard (ISO 9001) protocols.
• Review and interpret Marcus Center testing reports; communicate findings to the PI and project team.

5. Data Analysis and Scientific Reporting

• Perform rigorous quantitative analysis of all experimental data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Prepare figures, data tables, and written…