Careers
Discovery IT Co-op (Spring 2027)
IT · Full-time
Cambridge, MA, USA
Posted on Sep 4, 2026
About Wave:
Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.
Scope:
The Discovery IT team strives to empower discovery through streamlined data-driven operations and insight. The team uses the SONAR informatics platform to support scientific teams in comprehensively gathering all data that are part of scientific operations. As part of this dynamic team at the intersection of IT, Data Science and Biology, this role will support the creation, management, and usage of scientific data for research and other Wave functional groups.
Wave Life Sciences is looking for an Informatics Systems Co-op to join the team in 2027. The co-op will join the program team that builds and supports the Wave SONAR platform. They will use, learn agile software engineering and best practices, multi-tier application development, learn the skills of business analyses and product management and perform those functions in high-impact areas. The Co-op will build process maps, document user requirements, application configuration and testing. They will also assist in inventory gathering, and other tasks that support platform and IT needs. Working with scientists, data managers, statisticians, technology program and project professionals as well as IT Operations and Infrastructure, the person will get hands-on experience and learn valuable skills in a digital scientific environment. They will work in both an Agile and Waterfall methodology environment. This is a good opportunity to learn about modern automations in laboratories and related technologies, and building these systems out in a customer focused agile manner.
Position Responsibilities:
- Typical responsibilities include providing support functions for program and project management activities focused in the Research organization. The position will report to the Associate Director, Lead Discovery Data Architect and Engineering.
- Gain knowledge of the IT Department technologies and procedures.
- Receives guidance, training, and mentoring from senior IT and Project Team members in planning and carrying out activities and assignments.
- Assist team members by performing tasks necessary to support SONAR platform objectives as well as build foundational skills and knowledge.
- Help with moving legacy data (for example images, results in spreadsheets) into modern databases and facilitate the querying of them once identifying good questions via interactions with the business
- Assist with documentation of lab and technology functions.
- Effectively communicate with the customers, manager, mentors, and team members on the status of work. Ask relevant questions and listen attentively with patience as part of communication.
- Utilize the Atlassian toolset to document all aspects of the digital process.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a Life Science or Computer Science program in pursuit of a bachelor’s or masters degree.
- Strong digital background.
- Good to strong knowledge of Python for manipulating files writing scripts and applications for automations etc
- Familiarity with database technologies, and ability to insert to relational systems using Python
- Familiarity with version control systems such as GIT
- Working knowledge of technologies such as Posit, Copilot (and/or other LLM based AI systems), Claude, AI in general preferred
- Effective written and verbal communication skills. For example, must be able to collaborate with teammates, talk to customers, respond to emails with proper grammar and spelling.
- Must be well-organized and can work in a team environment.
- Ability to manage responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to take direction needed to resolve incidents quickly and effectively.
- Able to complete routine tasks independently over time. This includes gaining the functional, technical, and problem-solving skills needed to complete assignments.
EEO Statement:
Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.