Scientist, Bioconjugation & Targeted RNA Delivery

Position Overview

We seek a highly motivated, results-driven, bench-level scientist with strong expertise in bioconjugation and targeted delivery to support the development of ligand-oligonucleotide conjugates (LOCs) for extrahepatic RNA delivery. This role is focused on hands-on experimental work and project leadership, contributing directly to to the design, synthesis, and characterization of LOCs that efficiently target tissues such as skeletal/cardiac muscles, adipose tissues, and ocular compartments with high selectivity. The successful candidate will lead individual projects and collaborate cross-functionally to identify and optimize LOCs with high tissue/cell selectivity and functional delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute conjugation strategies to generate LOCs with optimized delivery profiles.
• Perform hands-on synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization of LOCs using diverse conjugation chemistries and linker designs.
• Collaborate closely with oligonucleotide chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to evaluate LOCs in vitro and in vivo.
• Support CRO coordination and reagent sourcing for ligand libraries and conjugation reagents.
• Ensure reproducibility and analytical rigor across experimental workflows
• Maintain high-quality documentation of experimental procedures, results, and data interpretation.
• Contribute to innovation and IP generation through novel conjugation approaches and delivery strategies.
• Present findings in internal meetings and contribute to technical reports, publications, and patent filings.

Qualifications & Experience

• A doctorate degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2-6 years of relevant industry experience in bioconjugation chemistry applied to LOCs, ADCs, PDCs, or targeted delivery systems
• Hands-on experience establishing conjugation chemistries (e.g., Click, lysine-/cysteine-based coupling, enzymatic ligation, stimuli-sensitive linkers) workflows for development of LOCs.
• Hands-on experience with multiscale purification methods (e.g., preparative RP-HPLC, affinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size exclusion chromatography, tangential flow filtration) and the associated instruments.
• Deep understanding of analytical techniques (e.g., LC-MS, LC-HRMS, CE-SDS, DSC, HIC, NMR) coupled with hands-on experience developing analytical workflows for robust characterization of LOCs.
• Experience coordinating with CROs and cross-functional program leadership.
• Demonstrated innovation through IP, publications, IND filings, or other public disclosures.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal/written communication skills.

Apply Here: Career – Agency for Science, Technology and Research