POSITION SUMMARY

As an Experienced Research Scientist, RNA Immunotherapeutics (Oncology), you will be a hands-on leader in the R&D team. You bring extensive expertise in pharmaceutics—especially nanoparticle delivery systems—and a strong background in RNA biology and immunotherapy.
Reporting to the CSO, you will design and optimise RNA-nanoparticle formulations, execute and oversee in vivo studies for evaluation of efficacy and safety, and drive our RNA-based nanoparticle platform technology towards clinical translation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. or Posdoc in Pharmaceutics or related discipline with knowledge of Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Immunology and Biochemistry related fields.
• 5+ years of industry or postdoctoral experience in RNA delivery, lipid nanoparticle formulation, and immunology.
• Must have an official registration for experiments with animals/mice in the Netherlands.
• Hands-on experience with in vitro and in vivo models for cancer research.
• Experience with cell culture, cell-based immunology assays and flow cytometry
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience and/or interest in working in a Biotech startup.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent in English (C1 or C2 level). Other European languages are a plus.
• Demonstrated ethical commitment to patient safety and adherence to the highest quality standards in experimental design and documentation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally, the candidate has experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, especially in Oncology / Cancer treatment.
• A plus: Experience in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cloning, plasmid construction, nucleic acid extraction, and quantitative PCR.
• Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Lead formulation process development: Plan, design, synthesise, and characterise novel RNALNP formulations to achieve optimal stability, encapsulation efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Drive preclinical in vivo studies: Organise and execute animal studies in tumour models and other disease systems to assess efficacy, safety, biodistribution, and PK/PD profiles of our proprietary RNA-nanoparticle system.
• Develop and validate assays: Create robust, high‑throughput in vitro and in vivo assays (e.g., flow cytometry, immunoassays, imaging) to quantify nanoparticle uptake, endosomal escape, immune activation, and target engagement.
• Conduct research on the mode of action behind the immunomodulating activities exerted by the RNA-nanoparticles under study, including studies of the infiltration of immune cells in tumour models.
• Ensure quality and documentation: Implement protocols and SOPs, maintain rigorous experimental records and documentation standards.
• Collaborate with international team members across the world, including bioinformatics, clinical development, regulatory affairs and manufacturing, to drive project goals, including IND submission and patent filings.
• Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders, including presentations at scientific conferences and regulatory agencies.
• Stay updated with advancements in the field of RNA-based immunotherapeutics, immunotherapy, and nanoparticle technology.
• Contribute to the writing of scientific publications, patent applications, and grant proposals.