Akagera Medicines, Inc. (www.akageramedicines.com)

Akagera Medicines is developing novel liposomal formulations of antibacterial drugs to treat tuberculosis, as well as developing novel mRNA vaccine candidates against neglected infectious diseases. The company was founded in 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. It is well-funded, majority-owned by the people of Rwanda, incorporated as a Delaware corporation, and has research laboratories in Boston and San Francisco. The Akagera team has extensive experience in developing lipid based nanotherapeutics and mRNA vaccines, including the drug Onivyde which has been approved for first-line treatment of pancreatic cancer. Akagera Medicines is currently planning to initiate a Phase I trial for its lead tuberculosis therapeutic in Q3 of 2024 and is developing mRNA vaccines for a range of neglected infectious diseases, including TB, influenza, RSV, HIV and Lassa fever.

The Role:

Akagera Medicines is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Associate or Senior Research Associate with experience with various immunological assays and can work independently in a small team, fast-paced, dynamic highly and collaborative environment. This position is based in our Waltham, Massachusetts site and will report to the VP of Immunology and Vaccine Development. He/she/they will help develop and run in vitro and ex vivo immunological assays that support the advancement of Akagera’s mRNA vaccine technology platform. The individual in this role will support the screening and lead selection of novel lipid-based mRNA vaccines by investigating immune-related molecular and cellular responses. She/he/they are expected to have a basic understanding in basic immunology concepts and substantial hands-on experience with ELISA and multiplex assays, flow cytometry, isolation of primary immune cell subsets, tissue culture with cell lines and primary immune cells.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate mRNA vaccine formulations in preclinical studies. 
• Ex vivo quantification of T and B cell responses in small animal models. 
• ELISAs 
• Flow cytometry—peptide stimulation of splenocytes for flow cytometric detection of cytokine-producing T cells 
• Cell-based assays, including maintaining and plating of cell lines and primary cells and performing transfection experiments.
• Isolation and purification of primary immune cell subsets 
• Manipulation of primary human cell including expansion of T cells 
• Analyzing blood and tissue samples as part of PK/PD/BD and efficacy studies. 
• General laboratory assistance, including lab equipment maintenance, ordering, and organizing supplies. 
• Careful record keeping, data organization and presentation. 

Education and Experience:

• BS/BA (MS focused on biological or pharmaceutical sciences preferred). 
• Hands on experience performing in vitro screening and in vitro/ex vivo immunology experiments is required. Industry experience desirable, but not a must. 
• Basic understanding of immunological concepts is a plus. 

High degree of personal and professional integrity, strong interpersonal and communication skills. Interested parties should submit their resume and cover letter to Ross Fulton, Vice President of Research at rfulton@akageramed.com. The anticipated salary is in the range of $65-105k, commensurate with experience.