Metaphore Biotechnologies: Analytical Characterization / Protein Science Co-Op

This position is open exclusively to current Northeastern University Co-Op students.

What if… you could join an organization that creates, resources, and builds life sciences companies that invent breakthrough technologies in order to transform health care and sustainability?

About Metaphore Biotechnologies 

Metaphore Biotechnologies is harnessing the power of mimicry to make previously intractable drug targets accessible and unlock breakthroughs that outperform today's drugs for maximum patient impact. The company's MIMiC™ platform is a computationally driven bioplatform designing new therapeutics where function, specificity, and selectivity are programmable.

About Flagship Pioneering

Metaphore Biotechnologies was founded by Flagship Pioneering's venture creation engine, which has also given rise to companies such as Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA), Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT), Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Indigo Agriculture. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures. In 2021, Flagship Pioneering was ranked 12th globally 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.

Flagship Pioneering Co-Op Program

Welcome to Flagship Pioneering Co-Op Program for the cohort dreaming big and taking courageous leaps. You'll join fellow peers across our ecosystem of companies and learning firsthand how we build first-in-category companies. You’ll have access to enrichment sessions, a dedicated professional development track, and a mentor that help guide you toward your next step. By the end, you will carry on a meaningful project outcome, a genuine network, and a front-row view of how Flagship pioneer new ventures that change the world.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Co-op student to join our Protein Science team. This opportunity will allow the Co-op to engage in hands-on experimental work and gain valuable experience in protein analytics, contributing directly to our Pipeline, Partner, and Platform Development programs. The Co-op will support the development and optimization of analytical assays, execute routine analyses, and synthesize large data sets to support scientific decision-making.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize analytical assays to support multiple company programs.
• Execute and analyze data from a suite of analytical assays, including QC (purity, sizing, thermostability by SEC, DLS, nanoDSF) and kinetics/affinity assessments using Octet BLI.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of UPLC-based separation methods, including Reversed Phase, Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography, and Ion-Exchange Chromatography.
• Draft and update protocols, SOPs, and Benchling templates.
• Research and develop additional methods as needed for developability assessments such as AC-SINS, ELISA, and Poly-reactivity.

How This Role Supports Metaphore:

The Co-op will play a vital role in the ongoing Developability Program, supporting the scaling of upstream functions through increased analytical assay bandwidth, as well as supporting all other projects at Metaphore. The Co-op's contributions will be instrumental in ensuring the quality control of reagents and informing decision-making on viable drug products.

Collaborative Opportunities:

The Co-op will work closely with various teams, contributing to quality control and process improvement strategies across the company. This highly collaborative role involves interaction with all functional groups, reinforcing the importance of analytical assays in company-wide decision-making.

Required Skillset:

• Pursuing a degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Interest in protein science with the ability to think both deeply and broadly about proteins.
• Curiosity-driven with a strong desire to learn and ask questions.
• Attention to details and strong organizational skills for careful documentation and tracking of experiments.
• Data-oriented with the ability to analyze large data sets, identify patterns, and draw conclusions.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC separation (SEC, Reversed Phase, HIC, Ion Exchange), thermal stability assessment (DLS, DSF - Prometheus Panta), and binding/affinity assessment (BLI or SPR).
• Familiarity with SDS-PAGE and plate-based assays (ELISA).
• Experience in wet lab techniques (e.g., pipetting) is preferred.

What We Offer

• Build alongside founders. You’ll work inside the same hypothesis-driven process Flagship uses to conceive and launch first-in-category companies.
• This can be the start of a longer story. Strong co-ops are considered for future opportunities across Flagship and its portfolio companies, not just for this one role.
• Work alongside people who left the safe path. Your colleagues are scientists, engineers, and operators who chose to build something new rather than join something already established.
• Take on real ownership. You're contributing to ventures that are still being defined. Your work can shape real decisions, not just support them.
• Be paid like the contributor you are. Compensation reflects the real work you take on.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

The pay range for this role is $25 - $35 per hour. This role is a short-term engagement that is not eligible for health and welfare benefits. Retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours. Compensation and benefits information is based on Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Privacy Notice for Applicants: When you apply for a role at Flagship Pioneering, we collect and use personal information you provide (such as your name, contact details, work history, and application materials) to evaluate your application, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Your application data is processed through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system, and may also be reviewed using AI-assisted screening tools. We do not sell your personal information. California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA including to know, delete, and opt out of the sharing of their personal information. If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under GDPR and you have rights to access, rectify, and erase your data. To exercise your rights or for questions, contact [email protected].

The pay range for this role is $25 - $35 per hour. This role is a short-term engagement that is not eligible for health and welfare benefits. Retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours. Compensation and benefits information is based on Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Privacy Notice for Applicants: When you apply for a role at Flagship Pioneering, we collect and use personal information you provide (such as your name, contact details, work history, and application materials) to evaluate your application, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Your application data is processed through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system, and may also be reviewed using AI-assisted screening tools. We do not sell your personal information. California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA including to know, delete, and opt out of the sharing of their personal information. If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under GDPR and you have rights to access, rectify, and erase your data. To exercise your rights or for questions, contact [email protected].