(Senior) Research Associate, Cryo-EM

Company Summary:

Fathem is pioneering Visual IntelligenceTM to transform how scientists see, understand, and design biology. At the core of this vision is molecular vision at scale—the ability to directly observe molecular structure with the speed, throughput, and accessibility required to make it the central technology for drug creation. To achieve this, Fathem is innovating at the interface of cryo-electron microscopy, AI, enabling hardware, and automation. Fathem is a privately held biotech, conceived by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Join us as we redefine how the world sees, understands, and invents in biology.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated Cryo-EM Microscopist to support cryo-EM workflows from grid vitrification to data collection at Fathem. This role will focus on the production of high quality cryo-EM grids and datasets of biomolecules - including soluble proteins, membrane proteins, and nanoparticles - with a strong emphasis on high-throughput, high-quality data generation. You will work at the intersection of protein biochemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven technology development, building robust grid preparation and imaging workflows that directly feed data into next-generation computational models. This is a hands-on, fast-moving role for someone who enjoys solving hard biochemical problems and seeing their work rapidly translate into new insights and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• High-Quality Data Generation: Prepare cryo-EM grids and collect data across diverse biomolecular systems—delivering high-quality datasets with speed, consistency, and rigor.

• End-to-End Workflow Execution: Execute across the cryo-EM workflow—from vitrification and grid screening to high-throughput data acquisition on Thermo Fisher microscopes.

• Throughput & Reliability: Operate and refine workflows to enable reproducible, high-throughput data generation, supporting the transition to standardized, scalable operations.

• Workflow Optimization: Troubleshoot challenging samples and improve grid prep and imaging protocols to increase success rates and robustness.

• Client & Partner Support: Contribute to external programs by executing experiments and ensuring delivery of high-quality datasets aligned to project goals.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with protein science and computational teams to ensure data quality and enable tight integration with downstream modeling.

• Data Integrity & Documentation: Maintain rigorous records in ELN/LIMS systems to ensure reproducibility and traceability.

• Enable Next-Gen Systems: Generate high-quality data that powers AI-driven workflows and supports ongoing automation and system improvement.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, physics, chemistry, or a related field, with at least 2 years of post-baccalaureate experience in an academic or industry laboratory.

• Hands-on experience with preparing cryo-EM grids of soluble protein, membrane protein, and nanoparticle samples, as well as grid clipping and microscope loading.

• Proficiency with ThermoFisher cryo-TEMs (e.g., Glacios, Arctica, Krios) and automated cryo-EM data acquisition software (e.g., EPU, SerialEM, Leginon).

• Willingness to travel to local collaborator sites as needed.

• Ability to rigorously document their work in an ELN and maintain an electronic LIMS.

About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice 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, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering is 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.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $107,300. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. FL109 currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on FL109's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

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