ShapeTX® is pioneering the field of programmable RNA medicines to repair the genetic causes of diseases. By merging innovations in AI and RNA technology to generate and analyze hundreds of billions of therapeutic possibilities, ShapeTX is developing breakthroughs in RNA editing, next-generation AAVs, and disruptive gene therapy manufacturing. The ShapeTX platform enables pharma innovators to design treatments across a wide range of diseases, including rare genetic disorders as well as debilitating conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many more. You can find us at shapetx.com and on LinkedIn and Twitter.
At ShapeTX, we are a dynamic team of professionals who are dedicated and passionate about making cures a reality. Through diversity of thought, scientific knowledge, professional rigor and focus we are merging cutting-edge science with extensive drug development expertise to unlock cures to many debilitating diseases.
Shape Therapeutics is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with a satellite site in Boston, Massachusetts.
Position Overview
ShapeTX is looking for a highly motivated Scientist to join our Research Technologies Team to further develop our RNAfixTM technology. In this role, the successful candidate will design and execute in vitro cell-based assays to evaluate our novel RNAfix technology platform, which leverages our cell’s endogenous ADAR enzymes for programmable RNA editing. The ideal candidate will also conduct exploratory research to better understand guide RNA (gRNA) architectures and the molecular biology of the gRNA/target interface and will leverage these findings to develop novel RNAfix payloads. This candidate should have a strong background in molecular biology with expertise in RNA modifications and processing, broad experience across a range of molecular biology techniques, the ability to think creatively to solve complex scientific problems, a collaborative spirit, and a desire to work in a fast-paced startup environment.
What You’ll Do:
- Independently plan and execute experiments to support lead candidate selection
- Develop in vitro models and establish assays to identify and evaluate novel RNAfix payloads
- Create novel payload designs to improve the RNAfix technology platform
- Evaluate the biology of novel payloads using molecular based techniques
- Plan and execute rigorous and well-controlled experiments that enable data-driven decisions
- Effectively communicate cross-functionally to coordinate and support molecular assay development, reagent generation, vector optimization, and in vivo pharmacology studies
- Work with leadership to set program objectives and strategy
- Prepare written reports to support IND applications
- Analyze and communicate results in written and oral presentations
- Maintain a detailed and up-to-date electronic laboratory notebook
- Mentor junior scientists and foster collaborations with peers across the company
- Collaborate with Research Therapeutics and Analytics and Informatics (A&I) teams in generating novel therapeutic payloads
What You Bring:
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or other relevant scientific discipline OR
- Excellent BS/MS candidates with 5-10+ years of rigorous research experience and demonstrated success within the biotech industry
- Demonstrated scientific excellence through peer-reviewed publications or documented contributions to drug discovery project teams
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-science environment
- Ability to think outside the box and tackle challenges with a problem-solving, can-do attitude
Skills and Experience:
- Passion for wet-lab benchwork and commitment to making data-driven decisions
- Extensive experience and expertise with molecular biology techniques (e.g., molecular cloning, DNA/RNA purification, RT-PCR, PCR, Sanger sequencing, qPCR, ddPCR, western blotting, RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH), NGS library preparation and applications
- Experience with High Throughput Screening (HTS) applications
- Strong background in mammalian cell culture, including transfection of cell lines
- Experience with in vitro and/or animal models of disease
- Experience and general understanding of current gene editing technologies
- Extensive knowledge of RNA processing and modifications, preferentially RNA splicing and ADAR-mediated RNA editing
- Extensive knowledge of RNA structure and function and a general understanding of RNA-protein interactions
- Ability to effectively manage one’s time and prioritize tasks to support multiple projects.
- A collaborative, team player, and good lab citizen
- Takes initiative with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and think analytically
- Exquisite attention to detail, organization, and proactive communication
ShapeTX offers a robust benefits package, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. We provide eligible employees with 12 paid Holidays plus a one-week winter break at year end. We are proud to offer a competitive paid parental leave benefit, an annual employee stipend for employees to use however they choose, a Flex Paid Time Off program (allowing flexible PTO for vacation, sick leave, and other purposes) and Company paid Long Term Disability. Employees are eligible to enroll in our Company’s voluntary 401k plan, voluntary Life/AD&D and Voluntary FSA’s.
The salary range for the Scientist role is $96,000-$144,000. The hired applicant's placement within the range is based on qualifications and professional experience. Additional compensation may include annual target bonus and/or sign-on bonus, equity grant and relocation bonus.
We aspire to Shape Life! not only through our science, but also through our commitment to foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse perspectives and experiences.
