Scientist, Chemistry
Reports To: Director, Chemistry
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Job Summary
Switch Therapeutics is seeking an exceptional scientist who has extensive experience in the production of oligonucleotides and related higher order RNA structures. A scientist who participated in the process design, development, and manufacture of RNAi therapeutic candidates. More specifically, the scientist will focus on oligonucleotide solid phase synthesis, purification and bioconjugation. In addition, this scientist will collaborate with a cross-functional team of experts to focus on the development and optimization of CASi candidates, as well as supervising and supporting junior team members.
This role will require full time onsite work at our research facilities in South San Francisco.
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $110,000 and $130,000 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity in the Company, a discretionary annual bonus, in addition to a full range of healthcare, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.
If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Responsibilities
- Support oligonucleotide production and CASi development to satisfy corporate goals.
- Utilize ÄKTA Oligopilot, Mermade 192X and H8 synthesizers to boost the team’s capabilities in oligonucleotide process chemistry.
- Apply industry experience with purification techniques involving ÄKTA Pur & Explorer in conjunction with HPLC reversed phase and/or ion-exchange purification techniques.
- Manage and support junior team members.
- Collaborate with internal and external manufacturing partners to develop robust chemical processes.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams including Biology (in vitro and in vivo pharmacology), and Chemistry (production, analytical sciences, and platform chemistry groups) – Present results through team meetings and recommendations to management.
- Deliver innovative solutions using a diversity of thought and experiences.
- Ensure the quality of each delivered entity.
- Maintain lab notebooks, report data with analysis of results in presentations and/or written reports to the scientific team.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in organic chemistry or a related discipline
- Two or more years of direct experience in oligonucleotide synthesis, conjugation, and formulation. Additional relevant experience may qualify for a Senior Scientist level position.
- Experience in the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry preferred; direct experience with (semi)automated instrumentations.
- Strong method development skills including experience with capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry instruments with liquid chromatography techniques.
- Proficiency with Chromeleon, Xcalibur and Biopharma Finder is preferred.
- A history of authoring publications and/or study reports.
- Experience with managing project teams in a biotechnology organization is preferred.
- A deep commitment to working as part of teams to deliver breakthrough medicines.
- Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
About Switch
Switch Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company that is developing RNAi therapies stemming from transformative technologies invented at Caltech, City of Hope, and Harvard Medical School.
The company’s conditionally activated siRNA (CASi) platform integrates RNA nanotechnology with RNA medicinal chemistry to create siRNA pro-drugs that can activate or suppress their own drug activities based on the presence or absence of disease indicating RNA markers in mammalian cells. This gives CASi based drugs the ability to target specific cells responsible for disease while sparing healthy cells from drug activity.
Since its founding in Q3 2020, Switch has made significant progress in optimizing its technology for therapeutic applications and has generated highly compelling in vivo validation data demonstrating distribution, potency, and duration of effect that support development for important disease indications.
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to careers@switchthera.com.