Principal Scientist I/II, Oligonucleotide Chemistry & Innovation
Novartis
September 01, 2026
Full-time
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
Worldwide
Other
Role: Principal Scientist I or II in Oligonucleotide Chemistry and Innovation, focusing on advancing Novartis' xRNA therapeutics platform by developing novel oligonucleotide chemistries. Responsibilities: lead synthesis, purification, and characterization of chemically modified oligonucleotides and conjugates; design and optimize new chemistries via structure-activity studies; develop synthetic routes for preclinical candidates; collaborate across teams to progress programs from discovery through preclinical stages; mentor scientists and optimize lab workflows; maintain analytical and synthesis instrumentation. Requirements: PhD in Chemistry or related field; minimum five years' industry or research experience in oligonucleotide synthesis; expertise in solid-phase synthesis, phosphoramidite chemistry, and analytical techniques like LC-MS; hands-on with automated synthesizers; understanding of RNA therapeutics (siRNA, antisense). Preferred: experience with conjugates, robust synthetic route development, and cross-functional collaboration. HighValue: focus on oligonucleotide therapeutics, preclinical RNA candidates, and synthetic chemistry innovation. WorkSetup: not specified.