Scientist II, Computational Biology & AI

Job Description:

Company Overview

Since its inception over a decade ago, CRISPR Therapeutics has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of gene editing, to a company with a diverse portfolio of product candidates across a broad range of disease areas including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular and rare diseases. The Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR science has revolutionized biomedical research and represents a powerful, clinically validated approach with the potential to create a new class of potentially transformative medicines. To accelerate and expand its efforts, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic partnerships with leading companies 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

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.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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)

Competencies

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

CRISPR Therapeutics believes in fostering a dynamic workplace that balances remote work flexibility with the benefits of in-person interactions. Our employees work at least three days on-site, creating a collaborative work environment, where we cultivate mentorship opportunities, increase cross-functional communication and offer opportunities for our employees to connect. Certain lab based and manufacturing positions are located fully on-site.

Senior Clinical Scientist: Base pay range of $140,000 to $150,000+ bonus, equity and benefits

The range provided is CRISPR Therapeutics’ reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors such as experience, training, skills, and abilities.

CRISPR Therapeutics, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law.

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