Scientist I, Next Generation Sequencing - Contract

Editas Medicine; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Editas Medicine is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist / Scientist I to support NGS assay development for CRISPR programs. This hands-on role focuses on library prep, sequencing on Illumina and ONT platforms, QC, and data interpretation within a collaborative team in Cambridge, MA.

The candidate will contribute to assay development, optimization, and production transitions, with strong emphasis on documentation and communicating results across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with NGS library preparation and sequencing workflows.
• Experience operating Illumina sequencing platforms and interpreting QC metrics.
• Experience with ONT sequencing, including library construction and operation of ONT systems.
• Experience designing primers for targeted sequencing assays.
• Experience with automation platforms or automated liquid handling.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting molecular biology or NGS workflows.
• Experience transferring protocols into routine production workflows.
• Strong documentation using electronic notebooks like Benchling.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary, time-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute NGS workflows, including sample prep, library construction, QC, sequencing, and initial data quality assessment.
• Perform and optimize Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing workflows for gene-editing programs.
• Analyze run metrics and QC to identify issues and plan next steps.
• Contribute to development, optimization, and transition of NGS assays into routine production with automation.
• Generate and maintain high-quality protocols and records using Benchling.
• Summarize results in technical reports, presentations, and cross-functional meetings.
• Stay aware of emerging NGS technologies to improve assay quality, throughput, and robustness.

Skills

NGS library prep

Illumina sequencing

Oxford Nanopore sequencing

Primer design

Laboratory automation

Benchling

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology or related field

Tools

Benchling

Automated liquid handling

Job description

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:

The Genomics and Bioinformatics team at Editas Medicine is seeking a motivated and highly collaborative Senior Associate Scientist / Scientist I to support the development and application of NGS technologies for CRISPR gene-editing programs.

This is a hands-on laboratory role with opportunities to contribute to the development, optimization, execution, and transition of NGS assays supporting research, preclinical-stage, and clinical-stage programs. The successful candidate will apply their experience with NGS library preparation, sequencing platforms, assay quality control, and data interpretation to generate high-quality sequencing data and advance new analytical capabilities.

The candidate will execute and optimize existing Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) workflows while contributing to the development and implementation of new sequencing methods. Areas of work may include targeted amplicon sequencing, off-target verification, long-read sequencing, and RNA sequencing.

The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on molecular biology skills with an understanding of NGS workflows and a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex assays. Experience with DNA and RNA library preparation, target-specific primer design, Illumina sequencing, and Oxford Nanopore sequencing are highly desirable.

The individual will work closely with scientists across Research, Translational Sciences, Process Development, and other functions. The candidate will be expected to communicate results clearly, maintain superior documentation, and contribute scientifically to project strategy and assay development.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently execute NGS workflows, including sample preparation, library construction, library quality control, sequencing, and initial assessment of sequencing performance and data quality.
• Perform and optimize Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing workflows supporting gene-editing programs.
• Analyze sequencing run metrics and assay controls to identify technical issues, determine potential root causes, and recommend experimental next steps.
• Contribute to the development, optimization, and transition of NGS assays into routine production workflows, including the implementation of automated and semi-automated library preparation methods.
• Generate and maintain high-quality protocols, experimental records, and technical documentation using systems such as Benchling.
• Summarize and communicate experimental results through technical reports, presentations, and cross-functional meetings.
• Maintain awareness of emerging NGS technologies and identify opportunities to improve assay quality, throughput, robustness, or efficiency.

• B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline, with 5-8 years relevant industry or academic laboratory experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with NGS library preparation and sequencing workflows.
• Experience operating Illumina sequencing platforms and interpreting sequencing run and library QC metrics.
• Experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing, including library construction and operation of ONT sequencing systems, is highly desirable.
• Experience designing primers for targeted or amplicon-based sequencing assays.
• Experience with laboratory automation platforms or automated liquid handling. Developing or programming automated workflows is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting molecular biology or NGS workflows and using experimental data to identify and resolve technical issues.
• Experience developing, optimizing, scaling, or transferring laboratory protocols into routine production workflows.
• Strong experimental documentation and organizational skills, including experience with electronic laboratory notebooks such as Benchling.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and time-line-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying NGS to CRISPR or other gene-editing applications, including characterization of on-target editing, off-target editing, structural variants, or other editing outcomes.
• Experience with high-throughput targeted sequencing and multiplexed amplicon assays.
• Experience with long-read sequencing assay development and optimization.
• Familiarity with basic NGS data analysis, sequencing file formats, and commonly used sequencing quality metrics.
• Experience using laboratory automation platforms and automated liquid handlers.
• Experience supporting assay development in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.

This role is not eligible for benefits.

Pay Range:

$61-$65/hour

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.