Scientist II, Computational Biology & AI

CRISPR Therapeutics•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Computational Biology & AI Scientist to grow our CRISPR-X and Genomics teams at CRISPR Therapeutics. The scientist in this role will leverage computational genomics and machine learning to advance next-generation in vivo therapies for gene correction and gene insertion into the clinic, including designing novel CRISPR proteins and characterizing gene-editing safety. The successful candidate will own technical strategy, collaborate closely with cross-functional research groups, and deliver contributions that directly impact patients with serious diseases. The position requires outstanding skills in computational biology, ML/AI, and genomics; a high degree of scientific rigor and attention to detail; and a passion for creating new medicines for patients.

Requirements

Ph.D. in computational biology, bioinformatics, genomics, machine learning, computer science, or a related field
At least 2 years of industry or postdoctoral experience characterizing on-/off-target editing, optimizing gene-editing modalities, or developing AI/ML-driven approaches for therapeutic protein design
Demonstrated record of developing computational pipelines to analyze high-throughput DNA sequencing data, with proficiency in common bioinformatics tools (e.g., BWA, SAMtools, GATK, IGV)
Proven ability to develop and apply machine learning and/or AI methods to solve challenging problems in the biological domain
Proficiency with Python is essential; familiarity with additional languages such as C++, R, or Julia is a plus
Ability to work independently and effectively in a matrix environment, prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and balance competing priorities
Excellent writing, reviewing, and presentation skills
A high degree of scientific rigor, accuracy, and attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Experience applying ML/AI tools for protein structure prediction (e.g., AlphaFold), de novo protein design (e.g., RFdiffusion), and/or biomolecular sequence modeling (e.g., ESM, Evo)
Proficiency with statistical and machine learning methods, including familiarity with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn)
Familiarity with sequencing platforms (Illumina, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, 10x Genomics) and NGS library preparation methods
Demonstrated record of authoring research reports to support regulatory filings (e.g., IND modules, Investigator's Brochures)
Proficiency in managing and analyzing large-scale genomic data in a Linux and/or cloud environment (e.g., AWS)

Responsibilities

Lead computational genomics and ML/AI activities in a cross-functional drug development setting
Generate and test hypotheses on genome-scale data using analytical, statistical, and machine learning methods
Perform computational analyses to thoroughly characterize off-target gene editing to ensure the safety of CRISPR-based drug products
Apply and develop ML/AI tools to engineer and optimize CRISPR and other gene-editing modalities for improved efficacy and specificity, working in iterative design-test cycles with a world-class team of cellular and molecular biologists
Develop and maintain reproducible computational and ML/AI pipelines for genomic and molecular data analysis
Author scientifically rigorous research reports to support IND submissions and other regulatory filings
Present scientific findings to a broad range of audiences, including senior leadership, to help inform decision-making for therapeutic programs
Dissect published literature and cutting-edge developments in the ML/AI space to find novel solutions for in vivo gene-editing problems