Scientist II, Discovery & Platform Innovation

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 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 Prime Editing systems for new therapeutic targets, while also applying molecular biology and Prime Editing expertise to other platform-level research challenges. Leading discovery efforts for novel therapeutic approaches and platform-level applications enabled by Prime Editing, this individual will partner with program teams to advance the most promising directions.

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 genome editing and prime editing, 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 Prime Editing approaches for new editing targets, first using in vitro cell culture systems and subsequently transitioning to in vivo development. Responsibilities will include editing strategy conception, pegRNA design and optimization, testing of Prime Editor protein constructs, optimization of mRNA constructs, and evaluation of other Prime Editing components to maximize editing efficiency, precision, and desired phenotypic outcome.
• 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
• 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 genome editing, protein engineering, and therapeutic targets 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; preferred additional 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or drug discovery research experience
• Deep hands-on expertise in genome editing, prime editing, pegRNA design and screening, molecular biology, cell culture, and next-generation sequencing
• Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional research environment with the ability to contribute meaningfully to team science while driving individual workstreams autonomously
• Experience applying computational tools or AI/ML approaches to protein engineering or pegRNA sequence design or optimization is a plus
• Experience translating genetic medicines 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