Flagship Labs 111: Cell Biology Co-Op

United Kingdom·Cambridgemid

Other

1 views0 saves0 applied

Apply Now

Quick Summary

Key Responsibilities

Cell lines consistently maintained and used with sound culture practice and documentation. PD datasets with appropriate vehicle and positive/negative controls, documented replicates,

Requirements Summary

Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, cell proliferation/viability assays. Working knowledge of experimental controls, replicates, dilution calculations,

Technical Tools

Other

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.

Design and execute cell-based experiments characterizing novel heterobifunctional molecules in cancer cell models.
Maintain, expand, and qualify a panel of cancer cell lines for ongoing studies.
Plan and run compound treatment experiments, including concentration-response, time-course, and combination studies.
Execute cell proliferation and viability assays to evaluate cellular response to treatment.
Perform Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, and other cell-based PD assays to assess target engagement, pathway modulation, and downstream molecular effects.
Analyze data, generate figures and summaries, and interpret results against experimental hypotheses.
Review results with the team; help identify follow-up experiments, controls, and troubleshooting steps.
Develop, optimize, and document protocols to support reproducible execution across studies.
Maintain complete, accurate records in an electronic lab notebook (ELN) — conditions, calculations, observations, deviations, raw data, and conclusions.
Present findings to scientists and project teams; collaborate with biology and chemistry colleagues on experimental planning and molecule characterization.

Responsibilities

~1 min read

By the end of the co-op, you will have contributed to a reproducible experimental workflow generating decision-quality data, evidenced by:

→Cell lines consistently maintained and used with sound culture practice and documentation.
→PD datasets with appropriate vehicle and positive/negative controls, documented replicates, and fit-for-purpose data-quality checks.
→Clear analysis and interpretation of concentration-response and PD data.
→Protocols documented well enough for another scientist to reproduce.
→Complete, traceable ELN records from planning through analysis.
→Clear communication of findings, limitations, and recommended next steps.
→Growing independence in design, execution, troubleshooting, and interpretation.

Requirements

~1 min read

Required

Pursuing a BS or MS in Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or related field.
Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience, ideally with cancer cell lines.
Experience running controlled cell-based experiments with small-molecule compound treatment.
Hands-on experience with at least one of: Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, cell proliferation/viability assays.
Working knowledge of experimental controls, replicates, dilution calculations, and basic quantitative analysis.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducible, high-quality data.
Ability to follow and write protocols, and maintain accurate documentation.
Ability to work independently at the bench while flagging observations, unexpected results, and uncertainties promptly.
Strong organizational and communication skills; comfortable in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred

Prior industry, academic, or co-op experience with cancer cell models.
Experience with concentration-response and time-course experiments.
Experience generating and interpreting dose-response curves and PD datasets.
GraphPad Prism or similar software experience.
Familiarity with oncology drug discovery, targeted therapies, or heterobifunctional molecules.
Experience troubleshooting and optimizing cell-based assays.

What We Offer

~3 min read

✓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.