Senior Scientist - Enhanced Lung

Senior Scientist - Enhanced Lung Program

United Therapeutics seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter's pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The Enhanced Lung Program focuses on developing novel technologies to enhance donor lung performance and improve transplant outcomes. Our scientists work at the intersection of organ perfusion, gene therapy, and bioengineering to modify and optimize lungs outside the body prior to transplantation.

This is science you can feel proud of. As a Senior Scientist on our Enhanced Lung program, you'll be hands-on driving gene modification strategies that move engineered and donor lungs closer to real clinical impact. This role is about designing smart experiments, running them with purpose, and translating results that matter—across EVLP systems, vector delivery, and functional validation. You'll collaborate deeply across disciplines, mentor growing scientists, and play a critical role in bringing bold ideas into execution.

The Senior Scientist will play an important technical role in advancing gene modification strategies for ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and enhanced lung development. This individual will design, execute, and interpret studies focused on vector delivery, gene editing, transduction optimization, and translational functional validation within engineered or donor lungs. The role requires strong hands-on expertise in gene therapy or a closely related field and the ability to operate within a cross-functional translational team.

Plan and oversee gene delivery strategies (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral, mRNA/LNP, or other platforms) in lung tissue models and EVLP systems. Optimize transduction efficiency, durability of expression, and safety profiles. Support preclinical large-animal studies, including experimental design and data analysis. Develop and validate molecular and functional assays (qPCR, ddPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, multiplex assays, etc.). Collaborate cross-functionally with device, manufacturing, analytical, and regulatory teams. Contribute to IND-enabling studies and regulatory documentation. Mentor junior scientists and research associates. Contribute to publications and patent submissions, protocols, abstracts, posters, etc. and other publication development. Present data internally and externally. Assist with EVLP.

Minimum Requirements: Master's Degree in molecular biology, gene therapy, virology, biomedical engineering, or related field. 8+ years of related biotech/pharma industry experience with a Master's Degree or 5+ years of related biotech/pharma industry experience with a PhD. Experience with viral vector systems (AAV, LVV, AdV) or non-viral gene delivery platforms. Strong data analysis and experimental design skills. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced translational environment. Good written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams. Strong analytical skills. Ability to mentor and motivate team members. Highly self-motivated. Ability to organize and present data.

Preferred Qualifications: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in molecular biology, gene therapy, virology, biomedical engineering, or related field. Experience with lung biology, transplant models, or EVLP. Industry experience. Experience working with human tissue.

The salary range for this position is $127,500 - $170,000 per year and reflects our good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business needs, as well as other factors permitted by law at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future based on company and market factors.

This role is based at our Silver Spring, MD location. At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.