Scientist / Senior Scientist- Vector Engineering Team

Apertura is a biotechnology company opening opportunities for treating debilitating diseases with limited options. We are uniquely positioned to develop genetic medicines by simultaneously engineering AAV capsids, regulatory elements, and payloads to overcome current limitations in gene therapy. The Company is committed to growing the field of gene therapy and believes that together we maximize our impact by working with corporate and academic partners, patients, and disease foundations. Founded on technologies from the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School, and with support from Deerfield Management Company, we are located at the Cure. building in New York City.

The Opportunity – Scientist/Sr. Scientist– AAV Vector Engineering Team

We are seeking an exceptional scientist for the VectorEngineering team within the Platform Technology group. In this position, you would help to define and execute our approach to engineering best-in-class adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors through high-throughput library screens, both in vitro and in vivo. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of excelling in multidisciplinary teams and capable of analyzing, conceptualizing, and communicating complex scientific problems.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to the following)

Working with the Sr. Director of Platform Technology, the Scientist/Sr. Scientist– Vector Engineering Team will:

• Assure team compliance with all regulatory, financial and safety regulations at a state and federal level

• Exemplify safety culture and champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives


• Act as a core member of the vector engineering team - oversee and develop a team of two or more scientists and associates; design and execution of adeno-associated virus (AAV) library screens and experiments

• Facilitate knowledge and technology transfers from and to partner organizations


• Design and assemble AAV libraries using pooled cloning techniques


• Execute library assays in cells and tissues and recover nucleic acids for NGS processing


• Design and execute in vitro assays to confirm capsid properties for product candidates


• Work closely with our computational team in designing and interpreting data analysis methods for genomic data


• Oversee authorship of standard operating procedures, batch records, development reports, and technology transfer plans as appropriate


• Represent the vector engineering team in authorship of interdisciplinary documents such as: target product profiles, regulatory filings

• Prepare and present data for internal teams and industrial & academic meetings


• Identify and propose opportunities to codify and protect intellectual property

Required qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering or equivalent discipline with 2+ years of experience in industry; OR Master's degree with 5+ years of industry experience; OR Bachelor's with 7+ years of experience.


• Experience in effectively hiring, mentoring, and developing direct reports and leading a high-performance work team
  Experience with and understanding of practical challenges in nucleic acid recovery from cells and animal tissues, and how to scale to high throughput workflows


• Experience with engineering AAVs and/or other viral vectors; understanding of the protein structure-function relationship as it pertains to viral capsids


• Strong experience with standard wet lab techniques such as ELISA, qPCR/ddPCR, cell culture, western blotting, and flow cytometry


• Experience with viral vector library design, and NGS-based screens


• Experience in contributing to high-performing and collaborative teams


• Ability to effectively manage priorities in a fast paced and dynamic environment


• Efficient in executing multiple projects simultaneously


• Collaborative, curious, and proactive

Nice-to-have qualifications

• Experience working with tissues from animal models (rodent and NHP)


• Experience with cutting edge protein engineering techniques


• Experience with NGS data analysis methods

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to religion, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Compensation range- $94,500 - $176,000(Compensation will be commensurate with experience and credentials.)

Apertura provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to religion, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Why Apertura?

We are a biotechnology company expanding the potential of genetic medicines.

In addition to competitive salaries Apertura offers:

• The ability to work with cutting-edge technologies, expedite discoveries, and accelerate your ability to make your mark in the world of science and gene therapy


• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance


• Long and short term disability


• Flexible Time off, which allows for a work life balance


• 401k plan


• Bonus Plan


• Equity


• Additional perks

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