Director, AAV Engineering (Research Technologies)

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 strong leader in molecular biology and/or virology for the role of Director, AAV Engineering within the Research Technologies Division. In this position, the successful candidate will lead the AAVidTM high throughput discovery team through its critical role in discovering and developing ShapeTX’s novel engineered AAV capsids. ShapeTX has built and publicly presented a platform, AAVidTM, that enables unprecedented access of gene therapy to organs of interest, powered by massive throughput and AI-guided evolution of AAV capsids. Novel capsids emerging from this platform are showing promise to vastly improve AAV targeting and drive clinical application of Shape’s own novel payload technologies as well as those of external partners. The AAV engineering team is now moving to broaden the platform to target additional tissue profiles, identify the novel cellular receptors of novel capsids, and evolve breakthrough capsids designs for even greater performance. 

The ideal candidate for this senior position will have deep molecular biology, virology and/or gene therapy expertise, a demonstrated record of high throughput screens based on NGS and computational analysis techniques, and a demonstrated history of leading high functioning teams of PhD scientists within a technology development biotech environment. Scientific creativity, a collaborative spirit and a desire to work in a fast-paced startup are essential.

Qualifications:

• PhD in virology, molecular biology or related field
• 10+ years of industry biotech experience
• Experience leading high throughput discovery projects with significant drylab computational component
• Demonstrated track record of leading teams of PhD scientists in technology R&D
• Demonstrated track record of scientific success (ideally in the AAV field) as evidenced by high impact peer-reviewed publications and/or patents

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Broad molecular biology expertise
• Expertise in AAV biology (e.g. capsid design, vector optimization, production, etc.)
• Experience successfully designing and implementing a biotech discovery group structure and strategy
• Experience designing and optimizing AAV viral vectors for therapeutic application
• Possession of a high degree of energy, flexibility, motivation and a strong work ethic
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-science environment
• Ability to think outside the box and tackle challenges with a problem-solving attitude
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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 this position is $145,000 - $218,000. 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.