Senior Scientist II/Principal Scientist, Sequencing Technologies

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

Terrana Biosciences is building a new generation of RNA-based technologies to transform agriculture. We are seeking an innovative and strategic Principal Scientist, Sequencing Technologies to lead the vision, development, and expansion of sequencing capabilities across the company.

As a scientific leader, you will define and drive sequencing strategies that accelerate discovery, platform development, and product advancement. You will serve as the technical authority for next-generation sequencing technologies, develop novel assays and approaches, and identify emerging opportunities that strengthen Terrana's RNA technology platform. This role requires a highly creative scientist who thrives at the intersection of technology innovation, scientific leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute an integrated sequencing strategy leveraging short-read, long-read, nanopore, and emerging sequencing technologies to maximize data quality, speed, flexibility, and cost efficiency.

• Conceive, develop, and implement innovative sequencing applications spanning genome, transcriptome, and regulatory RNA characterization.

• Evaluate and implement emerging sequencing technologies and establish new capabilities that improve data quality, throughput, flexibility, or cost efficiency

• Own the sequencing function and sequencing core operations at Terrana, ensuring reliable, scalable, and cost-effective delivery of sequencing data supporting 100% of company pipeline activities. Accountable for sequencing throughput, quality, turnaround time, and operational performance.

• Drive continuous improvements in sequencing throughput, turnaround time, library creation automation, and unit economics while expanding the scale and impact of sequencing across the organization.

• Partner closely with Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and AI/ML teams to enable key research objectives and accelerate innovation.

• Mentor scientists and contribute to the development of technical talent and scientific culture across the organization.

• Drive external collaborations and represent Terrana's sequencing capabilities with scientific partners and collaborators.

• Communicate scientific strategy, findings, and recommendations to senior leadership.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field.

• Senior Scientist II: Ph.D. and 8-11 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral experience with a demonstrated record of scientific leadership and innovation and leadership of sequencing platforms and operations.

• Principal Scientist: Ph.D. and 12+ years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral experience with a demonstrated record of scientific leadership and innovation and leadership of sequencing platforms and operations.

• Deep expertise in next-generation sequencing technologies, assay development, experimental design, and RNA-focused applications.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing novel technologies or platform capabilities.

• Experience leading complex, cross-functional scientific initiatives from concept to execution.

• Demonstrated ability to balance scientific leadership with hands-on laboratory execution in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.

• Experience developing, implementing, and scaling high-throughput laboratory workflows, automation solutions, and sequencing operations.

• Strong communication, influence, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated creativity, scientific rigor, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in RNA biology, RNA sequencing, small RNA analysis, transcriptomics, or related technologies.

• Experience in agricultural biotechnology, plant biology, or RNA-based technologies.

• Working knowledge of sequencing data analysis workflows and computational methods.

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA or Durham, NC

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING:

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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