Senior Scientist / Engineer – Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Carolina.

📋 Description

• Assist federal agencies and various clients in the fields of synthetic biology, bioengineering, and life sciences.

• Work alongside government program managers, agency leaders, and client teams to influence research projects.

• Aid in the creation, funding, and oversight of R&D programs.

• Offer direct technical assistance to R&D performer teams, program managers, and stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.

• Utilize technical knowledge regarding emerging technologies related to translation, manufacturability, regulatory issues, and biosecurity.

• Deliver technical and strategic assistance in areas such as genetic circuit and cell engineering, engineered cell therapies, gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics and delivery, protein engineering and directed evolution, cell-free systems, microbial engineering and biomanufacturing, as well as AI-driven biological design.

• Perform landscape analyses and technical evaluations on new capabilities, vendors, performers, and scientific trends.

• Provide guidance on scientific plausibility, feasibility, manufacturability, and potential for adoption.

• Evaluate scale-up processes, development quality, GMP considerations, regulatory strategies, supply chain logistics, and barriers to adoption.

• Assess technical proposals, performer submissions, milestones, deliverables, and program risks.

• Collect feedback, organize reviewer comments, and draft recommendations, project summaries, and presentation materials.

• Identify subject-matter experts, potential performers, test and evaluation partners, and stakeholders for transition.

• Support program management, technical meetings, site visits, tracking performer progress, identifying schedule risks, and preparing briefing materials.

• Stay informed about scientific, regulatory, biosecurity, and market developments.

• Engage directly with government program managers, agency or client leadership, performer teams, and external stakeholders.

• Represent Intertwine Associates and clients with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD in synthetic biology, bioengineering, molecular or cell biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, immunology, microbiology, or a related field; or equivalent advanced research experience.

• Proven subject-matter expertise in synthetic biology, bioengineering, or related disciplines such as genetic circuit or cell engineering, engineered cell therapies, gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics and delivery, protein engineering, microbial engineering, biomanufacturing, or AI-driven biological design.

• Ability to critically assess technical data, experimental plans, and development pathways.

• Experience in synthesizing complex scientific information into concise written and visual formats for decision-making support.

• Background in supporting intricate R&D initiatives involving academic, clinical, and/or industrial stakeholders.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Capability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Proficiency in prioritizing tasks effectively.

• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and proactive in approach.

• Strong work ethic with a passion for scientific exploration and real-world impact.

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency may be necessary based on contract requirements.

• Eligibility to obtain a federal government Public Trust or security clearance when required.

• Minimum of two years of experience in federal, healthcare, or scientific consulting.

• Additional qualifications may include industry experience in translating engineered biology platforms into clinical, field, or manufacturing applications; CMC, GMP, or regulatory experience; familiarity with biosecurity and dual-use research; computational or AI-driven biological design; experience with federal R&D agencies; and knowledge of science policy.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.

• Discretionary bonuses.

• Signing or retention incentives may be available.

• Other forms of variable compensation may be offered.