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 investigational therapeutic programs organized around our core areas of focus: hematology, immunology & oncology, liver and lung. Across each core area, Prime Medicine is focused initially on a set of high value programs, each targeting a disease with well-understood biology and a clearly defined clinical development and regulatory path, and each expected to provide the foundation for expansion into additional opportunities. For more information, please visit www.primemedicine.com.
Prime Medicine was founded to bring the promise of gene editing to patients. We use Prime Editing, a next-generation “search-and-replace” technology that finds the precise place in the genome to edit and swaps in a corrected copy of DNA — designed to make only the right edit, in the right position, while minimizing unwanted changes elsewhere in the genome. A single Prime Editor can be tuned to correct the individual mutation found in a given patient, giving Prime Editing the potential to address the vast majority of known disease-causing genetic mutations, across many different tissues, organs, and cell types.
Position Overview
We are seeking an exceptionally driven, discovery-minded Senior Scientist to join our Platform Technology & Innovation team. This team sits at the very heart of Prime Medicine's innovation engine, reflecting our commitment to accelerating the next frontier of Prime Editing science. Its mission is to invent, establish, and rapidly implement the platform technologies that will define what new capabilities Prime Editing can achieve, and ultimately, what cures become possible for patients.
Reporting to the VP of Platform Technology & Innovation, the successful candidate will focus primarily on the design and engineering of RNA components for Prime Editing systems, while also applying molecular biology and Prime Editing expertise to other platform-level research challenges. Unlike most industry roles, this position offers a rare combination of deep, inventive science and direct translational impact with purposeful innovation where discoveries made here move rapidly and deliberately into programs working toward patient benefit. As the portfolio grows, this role is expected to take on additional scope.
This is a hands-on experimental role with a strong cross-functional dimension. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in RNA biology and mRNA engineering, a rigorous and creative scientific mindset, and an unwavering commitment to translating breakthrough science into real-world impact. The team is currently focused on extrahepatic delivery to the lung, laying the foundation for expansion into additional tissues and organs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Design, construct, and systematically optimize novel mRNA architectures for Prime Editing applications, including UTR sequences, open reading frame design, codon usage, cap structures, poly(A) tail configurations, and RNA secondary structure, individually and in combination, to maximize expression, stability, translational efficiency, and in vivo performance
- Design and execute well-controlled experiments to probe structure-function relationships in Prime Editing system components; generate clean, interpretable data that drives platform design decisions
- Lead discovery efforts for novel therapeutic approaches and platform-level applications enabled by Prime Editing, beyond core mRNA design, partnering with program and platform teams to advance the most promising directions
- Partner with cross-functional teams (Computational Biology, Technical Development, and program teams) as well as external collaborators and CROs to translate platform advances into program-specific solutions, including supporting Development Candidate nominations
- Maintain active engagement with the scientific literature and emerging technologies in mRNA engineering, RNA biology, and gene editing to anticipate the next wave of innovation and identify external advances or collaborations worth pursuing
- Communicate research findings clearly to internal scientific audiences; contribute to publications, patent filings, and conference presentations that advance Prime Medicine's scientific profile
- Adhere to all laboratory safety requirements and procedures; author, review, and maintain accurate laboratory notebooks
- Mentor and provide day-to-day scientific direction to research associates and interns/co-op students, with potential dotted-line oversight of additional staff as the team scales; contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, RNA Biology, Chemical Biology, or a closely related field, plus 5+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or drug discovery research experience
- Deep hands-on expertise in mRNA biology and engineering, including practical experience with in vitro transcription (IVT), UTR design and optimization, codon usage, RNA secondary structure, and the relationship between mRNA sequence design and protein expression outcomes
- Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional research environment with the ability to contribute meaningfully to team science while driving individual workstreams autonomously
- Experience with next-generation or engineered RNA formats (e.g., circular RNA, modified nucleosides, or related modalities) is a plus
- Familiarity with CRISPR-based or other precision gene editing technologies
- Experience applying computational tools or AI/ML approaches to mRNA sequence design or optimization is a plus
- Experience translating RNA-based therapeutic technologies from in vitro systems into in vivo animal models, using non-viral (e.g., LNP) or viral (e.g., AAV) delivery systems
- Working knowledge of human biology and animal models of disease as they relate to therapeutic development
- Excellent scientific communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly to diverse audiences and contribute to written scientific outputs; strong publication and presentation record, with engagement in the broader scientific community (e.g., conferences, scientific societies)
- Experience providing day-to-day scientific direction to research associates, interns, or co-op students, and comfort collaborating with and directing the work of external CROs; success operating within a lean, matrixed team, including dotted-line working relationships, is a plus
This position in the Platform Technology & Innovation team is a rare opportunity to join a small, world-class team doing foundational science with direct and rapid translation to impact patients — for a scientist who brings both rigor and imagination to the hardest problems in RNA engineering.
The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).
Prime Medicine offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package with robust health, financial, and wellness benefits—including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) match, and equity programs—along with generous paid time off, wellness days, and company-wide recharge breaks.
Our commitment to employee well-being reflects our belief that when we care for our people, we strengthen our ability to put patients first and make meaningful impact together.
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.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, RNA Biology, Chemical Biology, or closely related field plus 5+ years postdoctoral and/or drug discovery research experience
- Deep hands-on expertise in mRNA biology and engineering, including in vitro transcription (IVT), UTR design and optimization, codon usage, and RNA secondary structure
- Practical experience linking mRNA sequence design to protein expression outcomes and in vivo performance
- Experience with next-generation or engineered RNA formats (e.g., circular RNA, modified nucleosides)
- Familiarity with CRISPR-based or other precision gene editing technologies
- Experience applying computational tools or AI/ML approaches to mRNA sequence design or optimization
- Experience translating RNA-based therapeutics from in vitro systems into in vivo animal models using non-viral (LNP) or viral (AAV) delivery systems
- Working knowledge of human biology and animal models of disease relevant to therapeutic development
- Excellent scientific communication skills, publication and presentation record, and ability to contribute to written scientific outputs (publications, patents, presentations)
- Experience mentoring or providing day-to-day scientific direction to research associates, interns, or students and collaborating with external CROs
What We Do
Prime Medicine was founded to bring the promise of gene editing to patients. We use Prime Editing, a next-generation technology that can “search and replace” to restore normal genetic function almost anywhere in the genome. Prime Editing searches to find the precise place in the genome to edit and replaces the segment of faulty DNA with a correct copy of DNA. A single Prime Editor can correct the individual mutations found across patients, meaning Prime Editing can potentially address more than 90 percent of known disease-causing genetic mutations. We envision a world where this technology can cure, halt, and ultimately prevent genetic diseases, providing lifelong benefit to patients. Prime Medicine offers the opportunity to shape the future of gene editing and transform how medicines are used to treat disease. Realizing the promise of Prime Editing requires a talented team with diversity of viewpoints and expertise. We’re building a group of dedicated, scientifically curious individuals who are passionate about helping patients live longer, healthier lives.
