Senior Scientist, Formulation and Delivery Sciences
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
June 30, 2026
Remote friendly (Carlsbad, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Senior Scientist, Formulation and Delivery Sciences
Responsibilities
- Design, produce, and characterize receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies.
- Identify/prioritize receptor-ligand pairs for targeted delivery based on rationale, feasibility, and performance.
- Develop and execute ligand conjugation workflows for LNPs (biochemical and chemical approaches).
- Establish affinity, cellular uptake, and functional screening assays across ligand formats, densities, and formulations.
- Generate/interpret data linking receptor binding, ligand density, uptake, and in vivo delivery performance.
- Partner cross-functionally to refine targeted LNP design and advance objectives.
- Assist with LNP production, in vivo testing, and downstream tissue collection/analysis when needed.
- Document results; present findings; contribute to publications and patent applications.
Requirements
- PhD in Biochemistry strongly preferred; Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutics, or related field considered.
- 2+ years relevant industry experience after PhD/postdoc.
- Demonstrated experience with LNPs, RNA therapeutics, receptor-targeted delivery, ligand conjugation.
- Strong hands-on bench skills; experimental rigor; detailed documentation.
- Self-motivated collaborator; creative problem solver; open to AI-enabled tools.
- Hands-on biochemical/biophysical/analytical methods; experience with cell-based uptake/activity assays and supporting in vivo studies highly desirable.
Benefits/Pay
- Pay scale: $113,156 - $149,750.
Application
- Apply via http://www.ionis.com; reference requisition #IONIS004054. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.
Responsibilities
- Design, produce, and characterize receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies.
- Identify/prioritize receptor-ligand pairs for targeted delivery based on rationale, feasibility, and performance.
- Develop and execute ligand conjugation workflows for LNPs (biochemical and chemical approaches).
- Establish affinity, cellular uptake, and functional screening assays across ligand formats, densities, and formulations.
- Generate/interpret data linking receptor binding, ligand density, uptake, and in vivo delivery performance.
- Partner cross-functionally to refine targeted LNP design and advance objectives.
- Assist with LNP production, in vivo testing, and downstream tissue collection/analysis when needed.
- Document results; present findings; contribute to publications and patent applications.
Requirements
- PhD in Biochemistry strongly preferred; Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutics, or related field considered.
- 2+ years relevant industry experience after PhD/postdoc.
- Demonstrated experience with LNPs, RNA therapeutics, receptor-targeted delivery, ligand conjugation.
- Strong hands-on bench skills; experimental rigor; detailed documentation.
- Self-motivated collaborator; creative problem solver; open to AI-enabled tools.
- Hands-on biochemical/biophysical/analytical methods; experience with cell-based uptake/activity assays and supporting in vivo studies highly desirable.
Benefits/Pay
- Pay scale: $113,156 - $149,750.
Application
- Apply via http://www.ionis.com; reference requisition #IONIS004054. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.