Pivotal Solutions

Senior / Principal Research Associate, In Vivo Studies

Location: Boston, MA

Reports to: Scientist II

Job Type: Full time, Onsite

About Us

We are an innovative, stealth-mode biotech focused on developing best-in-class delivery for in vivo gene editing.

Job Summary

The In Vivo Studies team is hiring a Senior / Principal Research Associate to support the planning, execution, and analysis of in vivo pharmacology and biodistribution studies that advance our preclinical programs. This is a hands‑on role for a scientifically rigorous, highly organized researcher who can execute rodent studies, collect high‑quality samples, maintain strong study records, and partner closely with Translational Research, Delivery, Editing, and Program teams. The location for this position is expected to be onsite in our Boston lab.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, planning, and execution of in vivo rodent studies evaluating delivery, biodistribution, editing efficiency, pharmacodynamic activity, tolerability, and related preclinical endpoints.
• Perform hands‑on in vivo study activities under approved protocols, which may include animal handling, dosing support, clinical observations, body weight tracking, sample collection, necropsy support, and tissue harvest.
• Prepare study materials, dosing solutions, collection supplies, labels, chain‑of‑custody documentation, and sample inventories to ensure studies run smoothly and reproducibly.
• Process blood, plasma, serum, bone marrow, spleen, liver, and other tissues for downstream molecular, cellular, and protein‑based analyses, including nucleic acid and protein extraction workflows.
• Coordinate with internal scientists and external partners or CROs to align study timelines, protocols, sample logistics, data transfers, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper study records, including protocols, worksheets, sample maps, deviations, reagent logs, and raw data consistent with data integrity and reproducibility expectations.
• Analyze and summarize study observations and sample metadata; contribute to interpretation of in vivo results in the context of program goals.
• Contribute to protocol development, study reports, SOPs, and continuous improvement of in vivo operations and sample‑processing workflows.
• Present study updates, operational risks, and key results in team meetings; collaborate cross‑functionally with Translational Research, Delivery, Editing, and broader research teams.
• Mentor or train junior team members on study preparation, sample handling, documentation practices, and relevant laboratory workflows as appropriate for level.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, veterinary technology, or a related discipline, with approximately 5-6 years of relevant hands‑on research experience in industry or an equivalent research setting.
• Direct experience supporting in vivo rodent studies, including study setup, animal handling, dosing support or study procedures, sample collection, tissue harvest, and post‑collection processing.
• Strong understanding of in vivo study execution, sample traceability, protocol adherence, and the importance of accurate, contemporaneous documentation.
• Hands‑on experience with downstream tissue and sample processing for molecular, cellular, or protein‑based assays such as qPCR / RT‑qPCR, ddPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, Western blot / Jess, sequencing, or related analytical readouts.
• Ability to plan daily study activities, anticipate operational needs, troubleshoot issues, and communicate risks or deviations promptly.
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional research environment with changing program priorities and multiple concurrent studies.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; comfortable summarizing study status, sample inventories, observations, and data for a scientific audience.
• Commitment to high‑quality animal care, ethical research practices, and compliance with approved study protocols, SOPs, and institutional requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting in vivo studies for gene editing, nucleic acid therapeutics, cell or gene therapy, biologics, or targeted delivery platforms.
• Experience with LNP‑based, antibody‑based, receptor‑targeted, or other delivery technologies in preclinical models.
• Familiarity with biodistribution, pharmacodynamic, toxicology, or translational biomarker study designs.
• Experience with common rodent dosing or sampling routes such as IV, IP, SC, PO, retro‑orbital, submandibular, tail vein, or terminal cardiac collection, as applicable to approved protocols.
• Experience processing hematopoietic tissues or working with bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood, HSC / HSPC biology, immune‑cell phenotyping, or flow cytometry workflows.
• Experience coordinating external CRO studies, shipping biological samples, managing sample manifests, or reconciling datasets across internal and external teams.
• Familiarity with electronic lab notebooks, study management systems, animal facility systems, or inventory / sample tracking tools.
• Prior experience supporting IND‑enabling, GLP‑like, or regulated preclinical studies.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Fast‑paced, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
• We offer an exceptional benefits package to include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, a 401k Match of 4%, Paid Time Off and Equity.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Salary Range

$90,000 - $120,000