You'll evaluate targets, design vectors with  practical constraints in mind  (manufacturability, delivery, immunogenicity), validate in silico, and coordinate academic partnerships for experimental validation.

80% computational work, 20% wet lab coordination.  You design experiments—partners execute them.  Critical:  You must understand what makes gene therapies succeed or fail in practice, not just in silico.

Key Responsibilities

Therapeutic Design with Translational Focus (40%)

• Evaluate genetic targets (genetic clarity, deliverability, market size)
• Design gene therapy approaches considering  practical constraints: Manufacturability: AAV titer requirements, production scalability, purification
• Deliverability: Tissue accessibility, dose requirements, injection volumes, immunogenicity
• Regulatory feasibility: IND pathway, safety assessment, clinical endpoint definition
• Select modality (AAV, base editing, other), vector/delivery system, regulatory elements
• Optimize constructs (codon usage, cargo size, tissue specificity)

In Silico Validation (40%)

• Protein modeling: Structure prediction (AlphaFold), molecular dynamics (GROMACS), enzyme kinetics
• Safety assessment: Biodistribution (PBPK), immunogenicity, off-target prediction
• Translational risk assessment: Therapeutic window, dose-response, durability predictions
• Generate validation reports with confidence scores and  translational risk flags

Lab Partnerships (15%)

• Identify labs with relevant capabilities (animal models, assays, AAV production)
• Design experimental protocols considering  practical feasibility  (realistic timelines, achievable titers, appropriate controls)
• Analyze results vs. predictions, troubleshoot failures, iterate designs

Communication & IP (5%)

• Draft manuscripts, patent applications, pharma partner dossiers emphasizing  clinical translatability

Requirements

Education: PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Systems Biology, or related fields (or MS with 3-5 years experience)

Wet Lab Experience:  1-3 years hands-on experience (cloning, cell culture, transfection, assays). Gene therapy experience strongly preferred (AAV/lentivirus production, transduction, functional validation, titer quantification).

Gene Therapy Technical:  Vector design (AAV serotypes, promoter selection, cargo optimization, CRISPR guide RNAs), tools (Benchling, SnapGene)

Gene Therapy Development Mindset:

• Understand what makes vectors succeed vs. fail in practice (not just in silico)
• Consider manufacturability, deliverability, and immunogenicity upfront
• Think in terms of "Can this be produced at scale? Delivered to target tissue? Tolerated by patients?"

Computational:  Protein modeling (AlphaFold, Rosetta), molecular dynamics (GROMACS/AMBER), pathway analysis (STRING, Reactome), PBPK modeling

Programming:  Python (BioPython, pandas, PyTorch), R (Bioconductor), SQL, Git, Linux/HPC

Nice-to-Haves

• Gene therapy industry experience:  Worked at gene therapy biotech in vector development, process development, or CMC roles
• IND-enabling study experience:  Familiarity with GLP tox, biodistribution studies, dose escalation strategy
• AAV manufacturing knowledge:  Production optimization, titer improvement, purification troubleshooting
• Academic/CRO partnership management:  Protocol transfer, feasibility assessment, troubleshooting
• Regulatory awareness:  IND/CTA filings, FDA feedback meetings, clinical endpoint selection

Essential Traits

• Autonomous problem-solver with mechanistic thinking
• Bridges computational predictions with biological reality
• Builds tools, not just uses them
• Communicates complex work to non-technical stakeholders

Why Join Us

• Shape the foundation of a product that bridges biology and computation.
• Collaborate with a global, interdisciplinary team.
• Flexible, remote-first engagement.
• Opportunity to see your expertise directly influence product development.

How to Apply

Please submit your application at: https://jouster.notion.site/2bd5c65e6f0d817eb513f910f205b4ab

We look forward to hearing from you!