Senior Scientist I, Discovery Chemistry (Synthetic Chemistry)
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
August 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Madison, WI)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
The Position
Arrowhead is seeking a hands-on synthetic chemist to support the discovery and development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. Primary responsibilities include synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel molecular structures to support extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery. This is a laboratory-focused position working with chemistry, DMPK, biology, analytical sciences, and formulation.
Responsibilities:
- Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize novel compounds and focused analog series.
- Develop and troubleshoot multistep synthetic routes, purification methods, and characterization workflows.
- Coordinate internal and external production of compounds to support project timelines.
- Review compound identity, purity, concentration, and suitability for biological testing with analytical and oligonucleotide chemistry teams.
- Coordinate compound availability and timing with DMPK and in vivo pharmacology teams.
- Integrate chemical, analytical, formulation, and pharmacokinetic data to guide compound design and recommend supporting studies.
- Monitor the scientific literature and propose novel, testable chemical approaches.
Requirements:
- PhD in Chemistry or a related discipline.
- 3+ years of pharmaceutical industry or relevant postdoctoral experience.
- Strong hands-on synthetic chemistry and experimental problem-solving.
- Ability to independently define synthetic strategy and guide compound-design decisions.
- Ability to interpret cross-functional data to propose new compounds and experiments.
- Experience leading chemistry activities, mentoring, or coordinating internal/external work.
Preferred:
- Experience with siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, or other nucleic acid modalities.
- Experience designing/synthesizing multifunctional molecules, focused libraries, or orthogonal functional-group strategies.
- Experience with plasma PK extension; highly polar/charged/amphiphilic challenging compounds.
- Familiarity with DMPK/pharmacokinetics, formulation/pharmaceutics, drug delivery, supramolecular/colloidal chemistry, lipid/nanoparticle systems, bioconjugation, or bioanalytical chemistry.
- Experience with external vendors/CROs/CDMOs.
- Experience supporting intellectual property, technical transfer, or progression of discovery compounds.
Scientist III alternative: May be considered at Scientist III level; emphasis on independently executing and optimizing synthetic routes given broader project objectives.
Wisconsin pay range: $120,000 USD - $135,000 USD.
Application instructions/authorization: Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.
Arrowhead is seeking a hands-on synthetic chemist to support the discovery and development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. Primary responsibilities include synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel molecular structures to support extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery. This is a laboratory-focused position working with chemistry, DMPK, biology, analytical sciences, and formulation.
Responsibilities:
- Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize novel compounds and focused analog series.
- Develop and troubleshoot multistep synthetic routes, purification methods, and characterization workflows.
- Coordinate internal and external production of compounds to support project timelines.
- Review compound identity, purity, concentration, and suitability for biological testing with analytical and oligonucleotide chemistry teams.
- Coordinate compound availability and timing with DMPK and in vivo pharmacology teams.
- Integrate chemical, analytical, formulation, and pharmacokinetic data to guide compound design and recommend supporting studies.
- Monitor the scientific literature and propose novel, testable chemical approaches.
Requirements:
- PhD in Chemistry or a related discipline.
- 3+ years of pharmaceutical industry or relevant postdoctoral experience.
- Strong hands-on synthetic chemistry and experimental problem-solving.
- Ability to independently define synthetic strategy and guide compound-design decisions.
- Ability to interpret cross-functional data to propose new compounds and experiments.
- Experience leading chemistry activities, mentoring, or coordinating internal/external work.
Preferred:
- Experience with siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, or other nucleic acid modalities.
- Experience designing/synthesizing multifunctional molecules, focused libraries, or orthogonal functional-group strategies.
- Experience with plasma PK extension; highly polar/charged/amphiphilic challenging compounds.
- Familiarity with DMPK/pharmacokinetics, formulation/pharmaceutics, drug delivery, supramolecular/colloidal chemistry, lipid/nanoparticle systems, bioconjugation, or bioanalytical chemistry.
- Experience with external vendors/CROs/CDMOs.
- Experience supporting intellectual property, technical transfer, or progression of discovery compounds.
Scientist III alternative: May be considered at Scientist III level; emphasis on independently executing and optimizing synthetic routes given broader project objectives.
Wisconsin pay range: $120,000 USD - $135,000 USD.
Application instructions/authorization: Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.