Scientist I, Cell and Molecular Biology, Gene Editing
Editas Medicine
Cambridge, MA, USA
USD 132k-145k / year
At Editas Medicine, we are pioneering the possible. Our mission and commitment is to translate the power and potential of the CRISPR/Cas12a and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems into a robust pipeline of medicines for people living with serious diseases around the world. Our goal is to discover, develop, manufacture, and commercialize transformative, durable, precision genomic medicines for a broad class of diseases.
Why Choose Editas?
At Editas Medicine, we’re a team of passionate problem solvers, harnessing the power and potential of CRISPR gene editing to transform the future of medicine. Driven by a shared purpose to serve people living with serious diseases, we succeed together through collaboration, mutual respect, and innovation. If you want to be part of a team where your voice is heard and respected, where you can operate at the forefront of gene editing, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine, come join us and become an Editor!
Decoding The Role:
Editas Medicine is seeking an accomplished, motivated, and independent Scientist I to join our Molecular and Cell Biology group. The primary focus for this individual within the next 12 months will be to leverage their expertise in molecular and cell biology to vet new discovery drug targets, test and optimize various gene editing strategies, develop and implement molecular, cellular, and biochemical quantitative assays, and design and generate in cellulo disease models. The Scientist will play a key role in expanding Editas’s drug development pipeline and advancing the next generation of in vivo CRISPR-basedmedicines.
Characterizing Your Impact:
As the Scientist I, Cell and Molecular Biology, you will:
- Function within a team dedicated to developing new and innovative gene editing therapeutics from conception through critical program development milestones, with a focus on screening and optimizing therapeutic strategies, generating the necessary molecular tools and cellular systems for characterizing and quantifying biological outputs, and demonstrating proof of therapeutic impact.
- Work both independently and collaboratively within a matrixed research organization to design and execute critical experiments, generate, analyze, interpret, and communicate unambiguous data, and establish new scientific methodologies required for enabling high-quality, data-driven governance decisions and advancing program development in a timely manner.
- Generate cell-based phenotypic models of disease and establish the experimental paradigms that enables both the high-throughput screening of CRISPR system configurations or genome engineering strategies and the assessment of therapeutic hypotheses.
- Build precise and accurate quantitative assays to measure efficacy and biological function of gene editing strategies and their impact on disease phenotypes in cellulo and in vivo.
- Design and generate necessary molecular tools and reagents for testing gene therapies such as viral (e.g. AAV, lentivirus) and non-viral (e.g. LNP, mRNA, plasmid) delivery vectors.
- Serve as a hands-on mentor for junior research scientists and support their technical development within a laboratory setting.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology or a related field with 0-2 years of industry experience (excluding post doc) or M.S. in cell and molecular biology with 4+ years of industry experience.
- Direct experience designing and testing CRISPR-based gene editing technologies and executing middle- to high-throughput screens that maximize desired gene editing and biological outcomes.
- Extensive experience handling and manipulating mammalian cell culture (both primary and immortalized), including lipid-based transfection, electroporation, or nucleofection of DNA (e.g. plasmid) and RNA (mRNA, siRNA), small molecule treatments, single cell subcloning and monoclonal cell line development, and fundamental light and fluorescence microscopy.
- Extensive molecular biology expertise including plasmid and primer design, molecular cloning techniques such as Gibson assembly, restriction cloning, Quickchange mutagenesis, PCR and gel electrophoresis, DNA, RNA, and protein purification and quantification.
- Broad-ranging quantitative molecular and cell assay development experience including DNA assays such as qPCR/ddPCR, RNA quantification assays such as RT-qPCR/RT-ddPCR, protein quantification assays such as JESS-Western Blot and ELISA, colorimetric/fluorometric assays measuring enzyme activity or small metabolites, and cell-based assays such as immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence (ICC/IF) and flow cytometry/florescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Direct experience generating and testing both viral and non-viral gene therapy modalities including lentivirus production, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) formulation, plasmid production, and and in vitro mRNA transcription.
- A strong understanding of early exploratory and lead identification drug development stage gates and proven track record of advancing pipeline programs.
Fundamentals That Set You Apart
- An ability to lead and drive success in a fast-paced, team-oriented, multidisciplinary environment, collaborate cross-functionally, and manage multiple projects in parallel while adhering to aggressive program timelines
- Direct drug development experience in hepatic monogenic diseases such as in-born errors in metabolism and cardiometabolic disease
- Direct experience working with CRISPR-based precision editing platform technologies such as base and prime editing
Benefits:
Editas provides a comprehensive array of benefits to all employees, including a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Medical Plan, a company-funded Health Savings Account, Dental and Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Dependent Care Account, Tuition Reimbursement, 401(k) plan with company match, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Programs, and a flexible Paid Time Off policy.
Salary Range:
$132,000 - $145,000
Pay Transparency
Editas Medicine is committed to transparency and accuracy in our hiring practices. The anticipated salary range for each position is posted within the role. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's qualifications, including education, training, and relevant experience. Additional factors such as external market conditions, the role's criticality, and internal equity will also be considered. Editas Medicine's compensation philosophy ensures fair and equitable pay practices.
Aspire to be an Editor? We invite you to apply and join us at the forefront of innovation and be a key contributor to realizing Editas Medicine's mission of developing transformative medicines for people living with serious diseases.