Oligo Discovery Chemistry Principal Scientist
GSK
August 07, 2026
On-site
Cambridge, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates using multistep synthesis (milligram to gram scale).
- Perform hands-on work to establish small-molecule/lipid/linker synthetic workflows, design structure-activity relationship studies, implement synthetic routes, and draft SOPs for next-generation chemistry and method development.
- Serve as small-molecule and lipid SME; represent conjugates in cross-matrix meetings.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification for high-quality, reproducible results.
- Partner with oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure excellence in small-molecule/lipid conjugate synthesis.
- Collaborate across teams to build robust study designs/workflows or leverage internal resources to meet 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, especially small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification, and analysis.
- HPLC purification experience (reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography; e.g., ÄKTA systems) and LC/MS analytics.
- Experience in lipid/PEG-lipid/sterol/dinucleotide/amidite synthesis and familiarity with RNA therapeutics (ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors, mRNA).
- Team-focused with strong initiative; troubleshoot and implement novel solutions.
- Experience in mentorship and project leadership.
Qualifications (Preferred):
- Excellent written/verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, and collaboration.
- Prior oligonucleotide synthesis and nucleoside chemistry experience (desirable).
- Urgency, flexibility, independence, accountability; integrity with multiple priorities; team-based culture.
Working arrangement:
- Full-time on-site at Cambridge, MA offices.
How to apply:
- Submit CV and a short note describing what motivates you about the role.
- Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates using multistep synthesis (milligram to gram scale).
- Perform hands-on work to establish small-molecule/lipid/linker synthetic workflows, design structure-activity relationship studies, implement synthetic routes, and draft SOPs for next-generation chemistry and method development.
- Serve as small-molecule and lipid SME; represent conjugates in cross-matrix meetings.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification for high-quality, reproducible results.
- Partner with oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure excellence in small-molecule/lipid conjugate synthesis.
- Collaborate across teams to build robust study designs/workflows or leverage internal resources to meet 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, especially small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification, and analysis.
- HPLC purification experience (reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography; e.g., ÄKTA systems) and LC/MS analytics.
- Experience in lipid/PEG-lipid/sterol/dinucleotide/amidite synthesis and familiarity with RNA therapeutics (ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors, mRNA).
- Team-focused with strong initiative; troubleshoot and implement novel solutions.
- Experience in mentorship and project leadership.
Qualifications (Preferred):
- Excellent written/verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, and collaboration.
- Prior oligonucleotide synthesis and nucleoside chemistry experience (desirable).
- Urgency, flexibility, independence, accountability; integrity with multiple priorities; team-based culture.
Working arrangement:
- Full-time on-site at Cambridge, MA offices.
How to apply:
- Submit CV and a short note describing what motivates you about the role.