Associate Director, Statistical Genetics

The Alnylam Human Genetics (AHG) team is looking for an Associate Director to lead our large-scale statistical genetics capability through direct, hands-on technical contributions and strategic guidance. The successful candidate will help enable analysis of genetic data from millions of individuals across multiple biobanks, including UK Biobank, All of Us, Discover Me South Africa, Our Future Health, and the Alliance for Genomic Discovery.

This position is hybrid and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform common and rare genetic association studies, including large "all by all" analyses, using biobank-scale data (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us, Our Future Health, Alliance for Genomic Discovery) with the aim of finding new targets for RNAi therapeutics.
• Conduct cross-biobank meta-analyses, including leveraging publicly available summary statistics.
• Organize these results in a manner that facilitates their use by the broader team.
• Perform post-GWAS analyses aimed at identifying causal genes and potential therapeutic targets (e.g., fine-mapping, colocalization, Mendelian randomization)
• Identify, evaluate and implement the latest statistical genetics innovations and analytical methods to help us make discoveries.
• Manage, coach and develop a small team focused on biobank-scale analyses, ensuring scientific rigor and timely delivery of results.
• Prepare, review, and deliver high quality scientific manuscripts and presentations for internal and external use.

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistical Genetics or a related field with 8+ years of relevant post-graduate experience.
• Proven track record of managing people and driving teams to produce results.
• Deep understanding of statistical genetics including GWAS and RVAS methods (e.g., single variant testing, burden, SKAT) and extensive experience implementing relevant statistical packages (e.g., REGENIE, PLINK).
• Extensive experience processing and analyzing individual-level biobank-scale genetic, phenotypic, and multi-omic data (e.g., proteomics), and a track record of making novel discoveries using these data.
• Proven track record of performing multi-biobank analyses, including performing meta-analyses (e.g., using METAL, RAREMETAL, REMETA), and understanding of meta-analytic approaches for handling sample overlap .
• Demonstrated experience in applying variant-to-gene post-GWAS methods (statistical fine-mapping, colocalization, Mendelian randomization).
• Experience with statistical genetics approaches and scalable tools for multivariate phenotype analysis, time-to-event and longitudinal analysis, and leveraging genetic ancestrally diverse datasets to improve signal detection and resolution.
• Hands-on experience conducting processing and QC of biobank-scale individual-level genetic data (WGS, WES, imputed).
• Expertise in phenotype generation as well as cross-biobank phenotype curation and harmomonization.
• Experience working on a Linux command line and advanced hands-on knowledge of Python and R.
• Practical experience implementing genomics workflows on cloud-based platforms such as DNAnexus, All of Us Researcher Workbench, Terra.
• Excellent communication skills, an ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally, and a track record of publishing in high impact scientific journals.

About Alnylam:Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and more prevalent diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach to treating diseases at their genetic source by "interfering" with mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Since our founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to turn scientific possibility into reality.

Our culture:Our people-first culture is guided by our core values: fiercely innovative, open culture, purposeful urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to people, and these values influence how we work and the business decisions we make. Thanks to feedback from our employees over the years, we've been fortunate to be named a top employer around the world. Alnylam is extremely proud to have been recognized as the #1 Large Employer by Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2023 for the third consecutive year, one of Science Magazine's Top Biopharma Employers, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2024 by Newsweek, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UK - among others.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. We are dedicated to building an environment where employees can feel that they belong, can bring their authentic selves to work, and achieve to their full potential. By empowering employees to embrace their unique differences at work, our business grows stronger with advanced and original thinking, allowing us to bring groundbreaking medicines to patients. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics prohibited by law.