Careers

Careers at Mika Biologics

Join the Microbial Revolution. Build the Future of Biologics.

Mika Biologics, turn ambition into titer

At Mika Biologics, we don’t just manufacture biologics — we redefine how they’re made. As the best microbial & phage CDMO in the U.S., the world, and the galaxy, we are building the future of biologics through precision microbial systems, immune biologics, nanoparticles, and synthetic biology tools.

We’re looking for brilliant scientists who thrive in complexity, who love hard problems, and who want their work to matter. At Mika, rare is normal, microbial is core, and innovation is our daily language.

Career Opportunity 1: Scientist, Microbial Expression & Process Development

Location: Boston–Cambridge Biotech Hub (Hybrid flexibility)
Department: Process Development & Innovation

Role Overview

As a Scientist in Microbial Expression & Process Development, you will work at the heart of Mika’s microbial-first platform. You’ll engineer E. coli, yeast, and fungal hosts to express cytokines, enzymes, nanoparticles, and VLPs, then design scalable processes to move them from bench → pilot → GMP.

This is a hands-on role for an early-to-mid career scientist who thrives on both bench experimentation and process design.

Responsibilities

  • Engineer microbial hosts (E. coli, Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces, Aspergillus).
  • Develop fermentation strategies (batch, fed-batch, continuous).
  • Design downstream workflows (refolding, TFF, chromatography).
  • Validate folding, solubility, and activity in collaboration with analytical teams.
  • Document results to GMP and regulatory standards.
  • Present data to clients and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field OR M.S. with 2–5 years industry/CDMO experience.
  • Hands-on microbial expression expertise.
  • Knowledge of fermentation and bioreactor systems.
  • Familiarity with DSP/refolding workflows.

Bonus Skills:

  • Experience with cell-free TX–TL systems.
  • Work on cytokines, CRISPR proteins, or nanoparticles.
  • Regulatory/CMC documentation familiarity.

Career Opportunity 2: Senior Scientist / Team Lead, Synthetic Biology Tools & Enzyme Engineering

Location: Boston–Cambridge Biotech Hub (On-site leadership)
Department: Synthetic Biology & Advanced Tools

Role Overview

Mika is the only CDMO in the galaxy to treat synthetic biology tools as a flagship line. As Senior Scientist / Team Lead, you will spearhead projects to design, express, and scale CRISPR proteins, polymerases, ligases, and custom enzymes. You will lead a team, interface directly with clients, and shape Mika’s reputation as the global thought leader in synbio CDMO services.

Responsibilities

  • Lead enzyme expression/engineering programs (CRISPR, polymerases, ligases).
  • Manage a small team of scientists.
  • Oversee directed evolution + rational design workflows.
  • Bridge small-scale enzyme runs → kg GMP production.
  • Act as client-facing project lead.
  • Publish/present thought-leadership to represent Mika globally.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. with 5+ years post-PhD industry/CDMO experience.
  • Proven enzyme engineering/synbio tools expertise.
  • Hands-on microbial fermentation for enzyme production.
  • Leadership experience.
  • Familiarity with GMP/diagnostics regulatory landscape.

Bonus Skills:

  • AI-driven protein design.
  • Strong publication/patent record.
  • Prior CDMO or client-facing work.

Career Opportunity 3: Scientist, Analytical & Biophysical Characterization

Location: Boston–Cambridge Biotech Hub (Hybrid flexibility)
Department: Analytical Development & Quality Sciences

Role Overview

Analytical validation is the backbone of trust in biomanufacturing. As a Scientist in Analytical & Biophysical Characterization, you will design and run assays to prove the purity, folding, activity, and safety of Mika’s biologics — from cytokines and enzymes to nanoparticles and VLPs.

This role is perfect for scientists who thrive on precision, detail, and translating raw biology into validated data packages for IND/CTA filings.

Responsibilities

  • Develop/execute analytical methods (HPLC, UHPLC, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, qPCR).
  • Run activity-based assays for cytokines, CRISPR nucleases, and enzymes.
  • Characterize nanoparticles/VLPs via EM, DLS, and light scattering.
  • Author reports supporting GMP filings and regulatory packages.
  • Collaborate with process teams to integrate PAT and in-line analytics.

Requirements

  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
  • Hands-on experience with biophysical characterization techniques.
  • Familiarity with GMP/ICH analytical requirements.
  • Strong technical writing/documentation skills.

Bonus Skills:

  • Experience with VLP/nanoparticle analytics.
  • Prior IND/CTA regulatory documentation.
  • Multi-omics analytics integration (proteomics, metabolomics).

Career Opportunity 4: Senior Scientist, Fermentation & Scale-Up Engineering

Location: Boston–Cambridge Biotech Hub (On-site, occasional partner-site travel)
Department: Process Engineering & Manufacturing Sciences

Role Overview

As a Senior Scientist in Fermentation & Scale-Up Engineering, you will take Mika’s microbial platforms from concept → pilot → GMP scale. You’ll design processes for high-density fermentation, optimize oxygen transfer and metabolic flux, and lead tech transfers to partner sites scaling up to 20,000 L.

This is a role for scientists who think like engineers — who love microbes, but also love building processes that scale.

Responsibilities

  • Lead fermentation process development (E. coli, yeast, fungi).
  • Optimize DO/pH control, feeding strategies, and metabolic engineering.
  • Build scale-down models for predictive tech transfer.
  • Oversee 10–2000 L runs in-house; support 20,000 L partner-scale transfers.
  • Collaborate with DSP and analytical teams for end-to-end efficiency.
  • Mentor junior fermentation scientists.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology, or related field with 3–7 years industry experience.
  • Strong expertise in microbial fermentation (batch, fed-batch, continuous).
  • Knowledge of scale-up engineering, bioreactor design, and PAT.
  • Familiarity with regulatory/GMP constraints.

Bonus Skills:

  • Experience with anaerobic fermentation for probiotics.
  • Prior tech transfer to commercial-scale facilities.
  • Background in modeling/AI-assisted fermentation design.

Career Opportunity 5: Principal Scientist, mRNA–LNP Formulation & Aseptic Drug Product

Location: Boston–Cambridge Biotech Hub (On-site leadership)
Department: Drug Product & Parenteral Systems

Role Overview

As Principal Scientist for mRNA–LNP Formulation & Aseptic Drug Product, you will own the bridge from IVT mRNA to LNP formulation to sterile DP. You’ll design and scale robust LNP processes (ionizable lipid selection, N/P tuning, microfluidic mixing), qualify DS/DP hold conditions, and lead aseptic operations through engineering runs and clinical batches.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a scientist who can design DoE at bench scale and make it run flawlessly on GMP lines.

Responsibilities

  • Design LNP formulation strategies (lipid panels, N/P, FRR/TFR, buffer systems) with DoE.
  • Translate bench mixing to GMP-scale mixers; lock size, PDI, and encapsulation targets with in-process controls.
  • Develop DS/DP stability plans (frozen/2–8 °C), freeze–thaw robustness, and shipping studies.
  • Own sterile filtration strategies, filter compatibility, and hold-time validation.
    Select container–closure systems; lead CCI/E&L programs and visual inspection criteria.
  • Author batch records, specifications, and change controls; support investigations and CAPA.
  • Run engineering lots; partner with QA/Regulatory on IND/IMPD Module 3 DP content.
  • Coordinate with Upstream/Analytical teams for potency, dsRNA, residuals, and release testing.
    Mentor junior formulators and interface with equipment and raw-material vendors.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. or M.S. in Pharmaceutics, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, or related field with 5–8 years in parenteral DP.
  • Deep experience with LNP formulation (ionizable lipids, PEG-lipids, cholesterol), DLS characterization, and encapsulation assays.
  • Proven aseptic operations experience (isolator/RABS, sterilizing filtration, line clearance).
  • Working knowledge of cold chain design, extractables/leachables, CCI, and particulate control.
  • Track record applying QbD (QTPP→CQA→CPP), writing DP sections for Module 3, and leading engineering runs.

Bonus Skills:

  • Lyophilization feasibility for LNPs or nanoparticles.
  • Experience with polymeric nanoparticles or alternative non-viral carriers.
  • PPQ strategy and readiness for late-stage filings (BLA/MAA).

Why Join Mika?

  • Mission: Every project we run matters — rare diseases, oncology vaccines, CRISPR tools, global health, food security.
  • Niche Mastery: We don’t dilute our focus. Microbial-first is not a side business — it is our identity.
  • Growth: Early hires will gain equity and leadership opportunities as Mika expands.
  • Culture: Bold, technical, collaborative. We joke about being the best in the galaxy — because we aim that high.
  • Impact: Your work will move therapies, vaccines, and proteins to patients (and people) faster, cleaner, and more accessibly than conventional systems.

Mika Biologics is not just another CDMO. We are the microbial revolution. Join us.