Oligo Discovery Chemistry Principal Scientist
GSK
August 29, 2026
On-site
Cambridge, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Job Description:
The successful candidate will help to establish pre-clinical capabilities within GSK’s new oligo synthesis lab, focusing on producing small molecules, lipids, and linkers for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors conjugates, as well as discovery chemistry and method development.
Responsibilities:
- Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities (ASOs, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors) with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates via multistep synthesis from milligram to gram scale.
- Perform hands-on small-molecule/lipid/linker synthetic workflow development; design SAR studies, implement synthetic routes, and draft SOPs.
- Serve as small molecule and lipid SME and represent conjugates in cross-matrix meetings.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification.
- Partner with oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure synthesis quality and accountability.
- Collaborate to build robust study designs/workflows and deliver on portfolio endpoints.
Qualifications (Required):
- PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology (or related).
- 2+ years industry experience in modern synthetic chemistry methods (small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification, analysis).
- Experience with HPLC (reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography; e.g., Agilent/Waters/Cytiva ÄKTA systems) and LC/MS.
- Experience in lipid/PEG-lipid/sterol/dinucleotide/amidite synthetic chemistry; familiarity with RNA therapeutics (ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors, mRNA).
- Team-focused, strong initiative, troubleshooting, and project leadership/mentorship.
Preferred:
- Excellent written/verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, and collaboration.
- Prior oligonucleotide synthesis/nucleoside chemistry experience (desirable).
- Urgency, flexibility, independence, accountability, and integrity.
Working arrangement:
- Full-time on-site in Cambridge, MA.
How to apply:
- Submit your CV and a short note describing what motivates you about the role.
The successful candidate will help to establish pre-clinical capabilities within GSK’s new oligo synthesis lab, focusing on producing small molecules, lipids, and linkers for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors conjugates, as well as discovery chemistry and method development.
Responsibilities:
- Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities (ASOs, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors) with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates via multistep synthesis from milligram to gram scale.
- Perform hands-on small-molecule/lipid/linker synthetic workflow development; design SAR studies, implement synthetic routes, and draft SOPs.
- Serve as small molecule and lipid SME and represent conjugates in cross-matrix meetings.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification.
- Partner with oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure synthesis quality and accountability.
- Collaborate to build robust study designs/workflows and deliver on portfolio endpoints.
Qualifications (Required):
- PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology (or related).
- 2+ years industry experience in modern synthetic chemistry methods (small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification, analysis).
- Experience with HPLC (reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography; e.g., Agilent/Waters/Cytiva ÄKTA systems) and LC/MS.
- Experience in lipid/PEG-lipid/sterol/dinucleotide/amidite synthetic chemistry; familiarity with RNA therapeutics (ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors, mRNA).
- Team-focused, strong initiative, troubleshooting, and project leadership/mentorship.
Preferred:
- Excellent written/verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, and collaboration.
- Prior oligonucleotide synthesis/nucleoside chemistry experience (desirable).
- Urgency, flexibility, independence, accountability, and integrity.
Working arrangement:
- Full-time on-site in Cambridge, MA.
How to apply:
- Submit your CV and a short note describing what motivates you about the role.