The Company
Verve Therapeutics is a biotechnology company created with a singular focus: to protect the world from heart disease. Founded by world-leading experts in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics and gene-editing, the company aims to develop transformative, once-and-done therapies for coronary heart disease. Verve's gene editing medicines are designed to safely edit the genome of adults and mimic naturally occurring gene variants to permanently lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The company is advancing a pipeline of precision genetic medicines, led by VERVE-101, which is being developed initially for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a potentially fatal genetic heart disease. In 2020 and 2021, Verve was selected as a Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal and one of the Endpoints 11, which recognizes the most promising startups in biotech. Verve is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Position
As the Associate Director, Editing and Discovery, you will be responsible for providing scientific leadership to a small team engaged in optimizing the combination of the editing modality and guide for Verves therapeutic programs. The ideal candidate would have a proven record of accomplishment in one or more of (i) designing and building high-throughput guide-screening campaigns involving arrayed LNPs (Lipid Nanoparticles) or pooled lentivirus screens, (ii) design and optimization of editor and gRNA for efficacy, and specificity, (iii) protein-engineering and evolution campaigns for guide and editor optimization. The candidate is also expected to have a broad knowledge of the gene editing toolbox spanning native and evolved CRISPR nucleases, base editors, Prime Editors, and other emerging editing modalities. Experience with developing fit for purpose off-target assays as well as analytical methods and bioinformatic tools in the space are all highly desirable.
The candidate will work collaboratively across the organization especially with the computational biology and mRNA and gRNA chemistry teams to optimize and streamline off-target assays and develop incremental and step change improvements in genome editing approaches.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and execute against detailed workplans that are aligned with team goals
- Lead discovery screening efforts for multiple new targets or alternatively lead platform technology optimization for editor or editing modality
- Ensure operational efficiencies building requisite automation capabilities in collaboration with internal teams
- Coach, mentor, and train staff to meet organizational and personal career goals.
- Collaborate cross functionally with other teams and promote teamwork
EEO Statement
Verve Therapeutics is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies
Verve Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Verve Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Verve employees or any other company location; Verve Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.