Lab Associate Jobs in Massachusetts

INTRODUCTION

Alnylam is seeking an experienced and hands-on technology leader to serve as Associate Director, Lab Computing and Facilities Technology, a role focused on delivering reliable IT infrastructure, operational support, and compliance programs for laboratory computing environments and facilities systems across Research and Early Development (ReDev), CMC, and Quality Control labs.

This role ensures laboratory environments are reliable, compliant, and fully supported for day-to-day operations across Cambridge and Norton.

This role is accountable for lab computing support across ReDev, CMC, and QC laboratories in Cambridge and Norton, lab system validation (LSV) support for QC environments in Norton, and serving as the primary IT point of contact for Facilities IT systems.

This position emphasizes tactical execution and operational excellence in supporting lab computing infrastructure, LSV, and facilities IT systems. The Associate Director will ensure lab computing environments run reliably, compliantly, and efficiently while maintaining GxP standards and data integrity across internal operations. This role requires deep technical expertise in lab computing, validation frameworks, and operational technology support.

This role is primarily based in Cambridge, MA, with regular onsite engagement (4 days per week) at our Cambridge labs and Norton QC labs to provide hands-on support and maintain close collaboration with laboratory, quality control, and facilities teams.

This role requires regular coordination across both Cambridge and Norton sites to ensure consistent, high-quality support and compliance execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Deliver Reliable Lab Computing Infrastructure and Facilities IT Support

• Provide operational support for lab computing environments across ReDev, CMC, and QC laboratories, including workstation management, lab-specific applications, computational resources, and network connectivity.
• Serve as the primary IT point of contact for facilities IT systems including building management systems, environmental monitoring interfaces, access control systems, and equipment connectivity infrastructure, and provide IT support as needed.
• Accountable for coordinating across Facilities, business owners, and enterprise IT teams to ensure Facilities and operational technology systems are supported in a fit-for-purpose manner.
• Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of lab computing and facilities IT infrastructure through proactive monitoring, incident management, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Digital Risk, and IT Data, AI & Engineering teams to ensure lab-specific requirements are met for compute, storage, data operations, networking, and security.
• Define and operate a responsive lab computing support model, including service levels, escalation paths, and onsite support coverage aligned to laboratory operations needs.

Lead Lab System Validation

• Oversee LSV activities for QC lab systems and instruments in Norton, with partnership support as needed across other lab environments.
• Manage validation lifecycle activities including risk assessments, validation planning, protocol execution (IQ/OQ/PQ), documentation, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
• Ensure lab systems meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU GMP Annex 11, and data integrity requirements through robust validation frameworks and governance processes.
• Support regulatory inspections and audits by maintaining audit-ready documentation, traceability matrices, and compliance records.
• Partner with Quality, IT Security, and system owners to ensure validation execution is consistent, audit-ready, and aligned with enterprise standards.

Manage Instrument Integration, Connectivity, and Operational Support

• Support the deployment, connectivity, and ongoing operation of laboratory instruments within the computing environment, ensuring reliable integration with enterprise and laboratory systems.
• Execute instrument connectivity and endpoint integration in alignment with platform-defined standards established by the Laboratory Informatics Platforms team.
• Partner with the IT laboratory informatics team to enable instrument connectivity and data flow into ELN, LIMS, and related systems.
• Provide technical support for troubleshooting instrument connectivity issues, endpoint configuration challenges, and operational disruptions in lab environments.
• Collaborate with vendors and system integrators to deploy and maintain instrument connectivity solutions in line with enterprise standards.
• Escalate platform-level integration design and data flow requirements to the laboratory informatics platform team.

Build and Lead a High-Performing Technical Support Team

• Build, develop, and mentor a team of lab computing and validation specialists focused on operational excellence and service delivery.
• Define support models, escalation procedures, and service level expectations for lab computing and facilities IT support.
• Drive a culture of accountability, compliance rigor, hands-on problem-solving, and continuous learning within the team.
• Establish standards, best practices, and governance frameworks for lab computing support, validation execution, and operational technology management.

Partner with Quality, IT, and Operational Teams for Compliance and Service Delivery

• Collaborate closely with Quality teams to ensure validation strategies align with regulatory requirements and organizational quality standards.
• Partner with enterprise IT teams (Infrastructure, Security, Data/AI) to ensure lab computing environments are secure, compliant, and integrated with enterprise systems.
• Work with laboratory operations, scientific, and technical operations stakeholders to understand requirements, prioritize initiatives, and deliver effective IT support.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to lab users, providing consultation on system capabilities, compliance requirements, and operational best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10-12 years of progressive experience in lab computing support, laboratory informatics, or operational technology in biotech/pharma environments with demonstrated technical depth and hands-on expertise.
• Deep technical knowledge of lab computing environments, including workstations, lab applications, computational infrastructure, and instrument connectivity.
• Strong expertise in Computer System Validation (CSV), including validation lifecycle, risk-based approaches, and GAMP 5 methodology for regulated systems.
• Solid understanding of GxP requirements, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU GMP Annex 11, data integrity principles (ALCOA+), and audit readiness.
• Experience supporting laboratory systems such as LIMS, ELN/LES, and QC systems from an operations, support, or validation perspective.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and managing operational support functions in regulated laboratory environments.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and incident management capabilities with a hands-on, pragmatic approach.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to translate technical concepts for scientific and operational audiences.
• Experience supporting laboratories across research, development, and quality control functions.
• Experience working across multiple sites and coordinating onsite support models for laboratory operations.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Life Sciences.
• Experience in RNAi, oligonucleotide, or advanced modality development and manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with integration concepts and ability to partner with platform teams on connectivity requirements.
• Experience with facilities IT systems including building automation, environmental monitoring, and operational technology (OT).
• Exposure to lab automation and instrument environments from a support or operational perspective.
• Experience supporting validation of cloud-based or SaaS laboratory systems.

U.S. PAY RANGE

$172,200.00 - $233,000.00

The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k) with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

ABOUT ALNYLAM

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics – a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.