Scientist/Senior Scientist, Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Company Overview:

Prime Medicine is a leading biotechnology company dedicated to creating and delivering the next generation of gene editing therapies to patients. The Company is leveraging its proprietary Prime Editing platform, a versatile, precise and efficient gene editing technology, to develop a new class of differentiated, one-time, potentially curative genetic therapies. Designed to make only the right edit at the right position within a gene while minimizing unwanted DNA modifications, Prime Editors have the potential to repair almost all types of genetic mutations and work in many different tissues, organs and cell types.  

Prime Medicine is currently progressing a diversified portfolio of eighteen programs initially focused on genetic diseases with a fast, direct path to treating patients or with a high unmet need because they cannot be treated using other gene-editing approaches. Over time, the Company intends to maximize Prime Editing’s therapeutic potential and advance potentially curative therapeutic options to patients for a broad spectrum of diseases. For more information, please visit www.primemedicine.com.

Position Overview

Prime Medicine is seeking a talented and motivated Scientist/Senior Scientist level oligonucleotide chemist with hands-on experiences in RNA synthesis and enzymatic ligation of oligonucleotides. Expertise using the Mermade12 synthesizer for solid-phase synthesis of RNA oligonucleotide using phosphoramidite chemistry, cleavage & deprotections in parallel followed by HPLC purifications in queue to produce high quality guide RNA is highly desired. The chemist will also need to be a quick learner and interested in contributing to long guide RNA innovations that are scalable and suitable for manufacturing under GMP.  The individual will be responsible to produce multiple guide RNA sequences in parallel on Mermade12 scale to support various internal and partnership programs.  

The ideal candidate will work independently and may supervise and mentor junior level oligonucleotide chemists in the lab. Strong work ethic, collaboration and accountability are imperative as the position will work cross-functionally, interfacing with the in-process analytics, biology, delivery, and other technical development & operations teams to advance Prime’s programs to the clinic.     

 Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, design and implement solid-phase synthesis of guide RNA on Mermade12 synthesizer using phosphoramidite chemistry
• Apply robust small-scale cleavage & deprotection (C&D) procedures for multiple C&D in parallel.
• Execute robust purification process to purify multiple crude guide RNAs in a queue on AKTA purifier
• Interact seamlessly with in-process analytics for crudes/fractions analysis and measurement of the guides.
• Ability to quickly learn and implement Prime’s enzymatic ligation process for long guide RNA production
• Ability to deliver guides to the program team in a fast-paced environment
• Will have ability to provide technical guidance to the junior chemists in the lab and help them with troubleshooting.
• Deliver reproducible and impactful results under ambitious timelines.
• Report results or scientific findings in internal cross-functional meetings.
• Must have ability to operate and troubleshoot Mermade12 synthesizer and maintain other lab instruments such as purifiers, UPLC, rotavapor, and centrifugator in good operational conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, and to be able to plan/execute experiments in a timely manner taking into account multiple inputs in a cross functional manner.
• Conduct laboratory work in safe, efficient manner that ensures a safe working environment for colleagues.
• Capacity to be highly productive in a fluid and fast-paced work environment.
• Tabulate all experimental data in the electronic notebook, and prepare technical reports as necessary.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related discipline with 0-3+ years of experiences OR BS/MS with at 3-6+ years of experience in a relevant industrial environment
• Prior experiences on Mermade12 synthesizer for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis is required
• Prior experiences in high-throughput oligonucleotide synthesis, cleavage & deprotection and purification techniques are preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques and data interpretation with UPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis are preferred.
• Ability to manage and guide to the junior level oligonucleotide chemists in the laboratory.
• Highly self-motivated, driven, can-do, make it happen attitude with ability to own and drive projects.
• Strong collaborator with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Capable of continuous learning, open-minded, curious, highly organized, and detail-oriented

Prime Medicine is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.