Scientist II, CRISPR-X - Gene Insertion

crisprtx; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CRISPR Therapeutics in Boston is seeking a Scientist II to grow our CRISPR-X team, advancing next-generation genome editing modalities and genetic therapies for a range of indications. The successful candidate will design, execute, and interpret research leveraging CRISPR-based tools and immunology concepts to push forward our pipeline.

The role requires hands-on experience with gene editing and CAR T engineering, expert molecular biology skills, and the ability to work independently as well as

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology or related field with 2–5+ years of experience, or non-PhD with 10–12+ years of progressive experience.
• Hands-on experience with CAR T cell engineering and gene editing.
• Strong writing, reviewing, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of research to develop next-generation gene editing strategies and immunology approaches.
• Design and execute molecular biology experiments (cloning, qPCR/ddPCR, NGS, RNA/DNA analysis).
• Guide construct design and interpretation of in-vivo CAR T and other immune studies.
• Review literature to identify novel gene editing and immunology solutions.
• Develop translational assays and strategies to evaluate gene editing across in vitro and in vivo systems.

Skills

CAR T engineering

Gene editing

Molecular biology

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, immunology

Tools

qPCR/ddPCR

NGS

RNA/DNA analysis

Cell culture

Job description

Company Overview

Founded over a decade ago, CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious human diseases. The Company has evolved from a pioneering research-stage organization into an industry leader, marking a historic milestone with the approval of CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), the world's first CRISPR-based therapy, approved for eligible patients with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing a broad and diversified pipeline across hemoglobinopathies, cardiovascular, autoimmune, oncology, regenerative medicine and rare diseases. The Company continues to expand its leadership in gene editing through the development of SyNTase editing, a novel and proprietary gene-editing platform designed to enable precise, efficient, and scalable gene correction. To accelerate and expand its impact, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical partners, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals. CRISPR Therapeutics AG is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, CRISPR Therapeutics, Inc., and R&D operations based in Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California.

Position Summary

Are you passionate about developing next-gen CRISPR therapies? We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Scientist II to grow our diverse, innovation-focused CRISPR-X team that pioneers novel gene editing therapies for human disease. We are part of CRISPR Therapeutics, a leading gene editing company with a broad clinical portfolio. The successful candidate will be an integral part of our team, whose aim is to research, develop and advance the next generation of genome editing modalities and genetic therapies for a wide range of human indications. The position requires enthusiasm, passion, outstanding skills in the art, attention to detail, and a desire to create new medicines for patients

Responsibilities

• Lead, design, and optimize research with the aims of exploring and developing next-generation gene editing strategies, primarily gene insertions, using CRISPR-based tools and beyond, and synthetic immunology.
• Design, execute, and interpret research requiring molecular biology techniques including cloning, qPCR/ddPCR, NGS, RNA and DNA analysis, cell culture, and other cell-based assays.
• Use knowledge of immune cell biology to guide construct design, target selection, and interpretation of phenotypic outcomes of in-vivo CAR T and other immune studies.
• Dissect published literature to find novel solutions to gene editing and immunology problems.
• Develop a deep understanding of the biology underlying new disease indications and design translational assays and experimental strategies to enable evaluation of gene editing and CAR approaches across in vitro and in vivo systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Prior experience with gene editing, including experience applying and developing next generation gene editing technologies, such as recombinases, retrotransposons or other integration approaches, in an academic and/or industry setting, with a track record demonstrating significant contributions.
• Hands-on experience with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell engineering, including CAR construct design, gene editing and/or transgene delivery in primary human T cells, and functional characterization of the resulting CAR-T cells.
• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, immunology, or related discipline with 2-5+ years of professional experience, or non-PhD and 10-12+ years of progressive, relevant experience.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills and attitude to think outside the box.
• Excellent writing, reviewing, and presentation skills.
• Challenges oneself continuously to enhance scientific capabilities.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a results-oriented research team environment.
• Must possess critical thinking and self-reliance to solve tasks independently.
• Self-motivated and scientifically rigorous, with outstanding organization and multitasking capability.
• Entrepreneurial spirit showing resourcefulness, accountability, agility to pivot, transparency, and productivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with protein and/or RNA engineering.
• Prior experience establishing next-generation CAR T cells ex-vivo and/or in-vivo CAR T cells.
• Prior experience with diverse delivery technologies, including transfection/nucleofection, lipid nanoparticles, and viral vectors/particles.
• Prior experience designing and executing in vivo studies, including downstream tissue processing.
• Experience managing and mentoring junior scientists.

Competencies

• Collaborative - Openness, One Team
• Undaunted - Fearless, Can-do attitude
• Results Orientation - Delivering progress toward our mission. Sense of urgency in solving problems.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit - Proactive. Ownership mindset.