Senior Scientist, Oligonucleotide Chemist

Join LGC as a Senior Scientist, Oligonucleotide Chemist, and help drive innovations in oligonucleotide chemistry. Based in our dynamic Innovation Hub team in Petaluma, CA, you will develop and improve methods for synthesis, deprotection, purification, modification, and analysis. Your work will lead to new oligonucleotide products and ensure their smooth transfer into manufacturing. Work alongside a world-class, multidisciplinary team to achieve outstanding results.

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and Quality Management policies and processes.
• Act as the Technical Lead in Oligonucleotide NPD and custom/co-creation projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support both IH and Operations project deliverables.
• Act as the technical oligonucleotide chemistry lead, contributing to the development and delivery of new oligonucleotide-based technologies and applications.
• Independently build, project plan, and complete development projects flawlessly.
• Develop synthesis methods to guarantee the effective application of custom/co-creation/NPD oligonucleotides through both automated synthesizers and manual techniques.
• Optimize methods for oligonucleotide modification and conjugation on-column and post-synthesis.
• Develop and refine purification methods for various modified oligonucleotides and conjugates.
• Perform analytical characterization of oligonucleotides using HPLC, mass spectrometry, and other relevant techniques.
• Troubleshoot synthesis, deprotection, and purification processes to resolve manufacturing issues and improve yield and quality.
• Generate documentation packages to support effective control and transfer into manufacturing.
• Act as the subject matter expert after the tech transfer, providing support with chemistry troubleshooting.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments and results in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to internal and external collaborators, ensuring effective communication at all business and technical levels.

Minimum qualifications:

• Master's degree in chemistry or a relevant field, or equivalent experience, with a minimum of 10 years of industrial experience in modified oligonucleotide chemistry or demonstrated equivalence.
• Extensive knowledge and practical experience with oligonucleotide chemistries, protocols, and analysis.
• Demonstrated skill in operating automated synthesizers and performing manual synthesis techniques, preferably with systems like MerMade, Dr Oligo, Shasta, K&A, OligoMaker, AKTA.
• Comprehensive understanding of all steps within the synthesis cycle and the impact of changes to methods, cycle times, and reagents.
• Proficiency in predicting oligonucleotide impurity profiles resulting from processing changes.
• Detailed knowledge of deprotection schemes, resulting chemical conformations, and degradation products.
• Familiarity with non-compatible chemistry within oligos and subsequent processing.
• Expertise in oligonucleotide purification chemistries.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques, particularly HPLC and mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrated extensive problem-solving experience.
• Ability to optimize complex chemical processes and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced setting that values accuracy and precision.
• Data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent data analysis and interpretation abilities.
• Experience with quality control procedures and GMP regulations.
• Understanding of nucleic acid therapeutics and diagnostics applications.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in a regulated environment such as ISO 9001.

The typical pay range for this role is:

Minimum: $93,750

Maximum: $156,250

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the California-based position. The actual base salary will depend on several factors such as experience, skills, and location.

About LGC: 

LGC is a leading global life sciences tools company, providing critically important components and solutions into high-growth application areas across human healthcare and applied market segments. Our high-quality product portfolio consists of essential tools for genomic analysis and quality assurance applications, valued for their performance, quality, and range.

Our values

• PASSION
• CURIOSITY
• INTEGRITY
• BRILLIANCE
• RESPECT

Equal opportunities

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or parental leave, religion, or belief. Shortlisting, interviewing, and selection will always be conducted without consideration of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com

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