Senior Scientist, Statistical Genetics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA is seeking an exceptional statistical geneticist to join the Analytical Genetics group. You will apply cutting-edge methods to analyze genetic data from millions of individuals, driving discoveries that inform our RNAi therapeutics pipeline and translating large-scale human genetics into therapeutic targets.

The role is onsite in Cambridge, MA, with emphasis on methodological innovation, cross-biobank analyses, and publication of high-impact findings to

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistical Genetics or a related field with 3+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Deep expertise in statistical genetics, including GWAS and RVAS methods (single-variant testing, burden tests, SKAT).
• Experience with biobank-scale data processing and analysis, and a track record of novel discoveries.
• Proven experience conducting multi-biobank analyses and meta-analyses (e.g., METAL, RAREMETAL, REMETA).
• Experience with variant-to-gene post-GWAS approaches (fine-mapping, colocalization, Mendelian randomization).
• Experience leveraging multi-ancestry data to enhance fine-mapping and discovery.

Responsibilities

• Perform common and rare variant association studies using biobank-scale data to identify targets for RNAi therapeutics.
• Lead cross-biobank meta-analyses to maximize power, replication, and trans-ancestry discovery.
• Implement post-GWAS methods to nominate causal genes and therapeutic hypotheses.
• Drive methodological innovation with multi-omics integration, polygenic modeling, and AI/ML prioritization.
• Establish best practices for data organization, knowledge management, and results dissemination.
• Enhance external visibility through high-impact publications and collaborations.

Skills

Statistical genetics

GWAS

RVAS

Multi-ancestry data

Linux environments

Education

PhD in Statistical Genetics

Tools

REGENIE

PLINK

METAL

RAREMETAL

REMETA

DNAnexus

All of Us Researcher Workbench

Terra

Python

R

Job description

Overview

The Alnylam Human Genetics (AHG) team is seeking an exceptional statistical geneticist to join our Analytical Genetics group. The successful candidate will apply cutting-edge methods to analyze genetic data from millions of individuals, driving discoveries that directly inform our RNAi therapeutics pipeline. In this role, you will champion methodological innovation and build scalable approaches that unlock insights from some of the world’s richest genomic resources, including UK Biobank, All of Us, Our Future Health, FinnGen, Precision Health Research Singapore, the Alliance for Genomic Discovery and Helix. This is a unique opportunity to translate large-scale human genetics into therapeutic targets and ultimately deliver transformative medicines to patients.

The Alnylam Human Genetics (AHG) team is seeking an exceptional statistical geneticist to join our Analytical Genetics group. The successful candidate will apply cutting-edge methods to analyze genetic data from millions of individuals, driving discoveries that directly inform our RNAi therapeutics pipeline. In this role, you will champion methodological innovation and build scalable approaches that unlock insights from some of the world’s richest genomic resources, including UK Biobank, All of Us, Our Future Health, FinnGen, Precision Health Research Singapore, the Alliance for Genomic Discovery and Helix. This is a unique opportunity to translate large-scale human genetics into therapeutic targets and ultimately deliver transformative medicines to patients.

This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform common and rare variant association studies, including large-scale "all-by-all" analyses, using biobank-scale data (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us, Our Future Health, Alliance for Genomic Discovery, Helix) to identify and prioritize novel targets for RNAi therapeutics.


• Lead cross-biobank meta-analyses, integrating internal and publicly available summary statistics to maximize power, replication, and trans-ancestry discovery.


• Implement post-GWAS methods to nominate causal genes and therapeutic hypotheses, including fine-mapping, colocalization, Mendelian randomization, and functional annotation integration.


• Drive methodological innovation by identifying, evaluating, and deploying emerging approaches (e.g., multi-omics integration, polygenic modeling, rare variant aggregation, AI/ML-enabled prioritization).


• Help to establish best practices for data organization, knowledge management, and results dissemination.


• Enhance external visibility through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and strategic collaborations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistical Genetics or a related field with 3+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience. Title is commensurate with experience.


• Deep expertise in statistical genetics, including GWAS and RVAS methods (e.g., single-variant testing, burden tests, SKAT), and extensive experience with relevant software (e.g., REGENIE, PLINK).


• Extensive experience processing and analyzing individual-level, biobank-scale genetic, and phenotypic data, with a track record of making novel discoveries.


• Proven experience conducting multi-biobank analyses and meta-analyses (e.g., using METAL, RAREMETAL, REMETA), including methods to account for sample overlap.


• Demonstrated expertise in variant-to-gene post-GWAS approaches (e.g., statistical fine-mapping, colocalization, Mendelian randomization).


• Experience leveraging multi-ancestry data to make discoveries, for example through studying population-enriched variants and enhancing fine-mapping resolution.


• Experience applying scalable statistical genetics tools to multivariate phenotype analysis, time-to-event and longitudinal analyses, and genetically diverse datasets to improve signal detection and resolution.


• Hands-on experience processing and performing quality control (QC) on biobank-scale individual-level genetic data (WGS, WES, imputed data).


• Expertise in phenotype generation and cross-biobank phenotype curation and harmonization.


• Proficiency with Linux environments and advanced hands-on experience in Python and R.


• Practical experience implementing genomics workflows on cloud-based platforms (e.g., DNAnexus, All of Us Researcher Workbench, Terra).


• Excellent communication skills, ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally, and a strong publication record in high-impact scientific journals

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics– a revolutionaryapproach 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 possibleand 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, wherean authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinkingfuel 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.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's Candidate Privacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

The pay range below 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.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

U.S. Pay Range

$126,400 - $189,600 USD