Research Associate II, Oligonucleotide Synthesis

## Research Associate II, Oligonucleotide Synthesis Apply:
Site Based:
South Boston, MA:
Full time:
Posted 2 Days Ago:
R-100108
*
* Job Description:

**** Company Overview
** Founded over a decade ago, CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious human diseases. The Company has evolved from a pioneering research-stage organization into an industry leader, marking a historic milestone with the approval of CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), the world’s first CRISPR-based therapy, approved for eligible patients with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing a broad and diversified pipeline across hemoglobinopathies, cardiovascular, autoimmune, oncology, regenerative medicine and rare diseases. The Company continues to expand its leadership in gene editing through the development of SyNTaseTM editing, a novel and proprietary gene-editing platform designed to enable precise, efficient, and scalable gene correction. To accelerate and expand its impact, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical partners, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

CRISPR Therapeutics AG is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, CRISPR Therapeutics, Inc., and R&D operations based in Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California.
** Position Summary
** We are seeking a hands-on Research Associate II to support the synthesis, purification, and conjugation of oligonucleotides for our gene editing and targeted delivery programs. In this role you will run solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis on automated platforms, purify and characterize crude material to research-grade specifications, and prepare small molecule–oligonucleotide and antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates that enable tissue-targeted delivery. This is a bench-intensive position within a fast-moving discovery chemistry group.

You will work under the guidance of senior scientists to execute defined experimental plans with high quality and throughput, while progressively taking ownership of your own syntheses, purification campaigns, and conjugation reactions. Success in this role means reliable, well-documented material delivered on time to in vitro and in vivo study teams.
** Responsibilities**### Oligonucleotide Synthesis
* Solid-phase synthesis:
Execute phosphoramidite-based synthesis of chemically modified RNA/DNA on automated synthesizers at scales from micromole to millimole.
* Modified chemistries:
Incorporate chemically modified building blocks (i.e. 2′-OMe, 2′-F) phosphorothioate and other backbone modifications, and 5′/3′ functional handles for downstream conjugation.
* Cleavage and deprotection:
Perform cleavage from support, base and 2′-silyl deprotection, desalting, and lyophilization using established protocols.
* Reagent and instrument readiness:
Prepare amidite and reagent solutions, maintain synthesizer uptime through routine maintenance and troubleshooting, and manage consumable and raw material inventory.### Purification and Analysis
* Preparative purification:
Purify crude oligonucleotides by RP-HPLC, IEX-HPLC; pool, desalt, concentrate, and formulate final material to target concentration and buffer.
* Analytical characterization**:
** Assess identity and purity by LC-MS, UPLC, and UV quantification; interpret chromatograms and deconvoluted mass data### Small Molecule and Antibody Conjugation
* Conjugate preparation:
Prepare small molecule–oligonucleotide conjugates, such as GalNAc, lipid, and peptide conjugates, and support preparation of antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates using standard bioconjugation chemistries.
*…