Group Leader, Oligonucleotides Chemistry

Planet Pharma; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma seeks an experienced Group Leader, Nucleic Acid Chemistry to lead and expand a growing chemistry platform supporting discovery and development of advanced nucleic acid-based therapeutics. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on science across synthesis, purification, analytical characterization, and platform development.

You will mentor scientists, establish scalable workflows, evaluate new chemistries, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic or medicinal chemistry or related field.
• Significant industry experience in synthetic chemistry and nucleic acid technologies.
• Strong hands-on synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization skills.
• Experience with modern synthesis technologies and chromatography systems.
• Proven track record of leading research groups and external collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership across synthesis, purification, analytics, and platform development.
• Establish scalable HT workflows and evaluate new chemistries and formats.
• Mentor scientists and guide experimental design and interpretation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners on programs.

Skills

Synthesis expertise

Analytical characterization

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Chromatography systems

Analytical platforms

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Group Leader, Nucleic Acid Chemistry to lead and expand a growing chemistry platform supporting the discovery and development of advanced nucleic acid-based therapeutics.

This individual will provide both strategic and hands-on scientific leadership across synthesis, purification, analytical characterization, and platform development activities. The role will be responsible for establishing scalable research workflows, evaluating emerging technologies and molecular formats, mentoring scientists, and supporting the progression of multiple discovery programs toward candidate selection.

The successful candidate will operate as both a technical expert and people leader, working closely with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to advance a diverse therapeutic pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership & Platform Development

• Establish, optimize, and scale high-throughput synthesis workflows for a range of nucleic acid-based therapeutic modalities.
• Expand platform capabilities through the evaluation and implementation of emerging chemistries, molecular scaffolds, conjugation approaches, and next-generation therapeutic formats.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve operational procedures for synthesis, purification, processing, and analytical characterization.
• Lead complex technical troubleshooting activities and provide scientific direction across multiple projects.
• Contribute hands-on laboratory expertise when required to establish new technologies, workflows, and capabilities.

Project & Program Leadership

• Serve as the lead chemistry representative on multidisciplinary project teams.
• Provide strategic guidance on molecular design, synthesis strategy, manufacturability, optimization, and candidate selection.
• Support progression of discovery programs through data-driven decision making and technical leadership.
• Prepare scientific reports, presentations, and updates for leadership and key stakeholders.

Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of scientists and research associates.
• Guide junior team members in experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, and scientific interpretation.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative scientific culture.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with research teams across biology, pharmacology, analytical development, computational sciences, formulation, and delivery.
• Collaborate with scientists developing advanced molecular delivery systems and complex therapeutic constructs.
• Support seamless integration of chemistry and downstream biological evaluation workflows.

External Partnerships & Innovation

• Manage relationships with external research organizations and service providers.
• Oversee technology transfer, outsourced research activities, and quality governance.
• Contribute to innovation initiatives and expansion of the organization’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Support patent generation, technical disclosures, publications, and scientific communications.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant industry experience in synthetic chemistry, molecular therapeutics, biologics, nucleic acid technologies, or related therapeutic platforms.
• Strong hands-on expertise in synthesis, purification, analytical characterization, and process development.
• Experience with modern synthesis technologies, chromatography systems, and advanced analytical platforms.
• Demonstrated success establishing new scientific capabilities, technology platforms, or research functions.
• Experience managing external research partners and outsourced scientific activities.
• Proven record of scientific innovation demonstrated through publications, patents, product development achievements, regulatory submissions, or other technical contributions.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced research environment with evolving priorities.