Group Leader, Oligonucleotides Chemistry

A*STAR Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Attractive benefits

Long-term career growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading biotech initiative in Singapore is seeking a Group Leader in Oligonucleotides Chemistry to oversee pre-clinical synthesis and establish robust workflows. The role involves expanding oligonucleotide capabilities and driving drug-candidate selection processes. The ideal candidate holds a doctorate and has over 7 years of experience in synthetic chemistry, with strong leadership skills. Competitive compensation and career growth opportunities are offered within Singapore's biomedical innovation ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of hands-on experience in synthetic chemistry.
• Extensive familiarity with oligonucleotide synthesis and analysis.
• Strong leadership and mentorship abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee oligonucleotide chemistry capabilities from synthesis to analysis.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for high-quality results.
• Build and mentor a research team while guiding project stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Synthetic chemistry methods

Collaboration

Analytical techniques

Education

Doctorate degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

SPOS instrumentation

Analytic platforms (e.g., UPLC, LC/MS)

Job description

Job Description

About NATi, the Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative hosted by A*STAR, is Singapore's national platform dedicated to advancing RNA-based medicines and revolutionising drug and vaccine development. NATi's mission is to establish Singapore as a globally recognised hub of excellence in nucleic acid therapeutics research, clinical translation and commercialisation. NATi focuses on key RNA modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). To drive this vision, NATi is building a biotech‑like translational engine focused on asset and technology development spanning discovery to clinical development.

Position Overview

The Group Leader, Oligonucleotides Chemistry will oversee NATi's oligonucleotide chemistry capabilities spanning pre‑clinical synthesis, separation and analytical characterisation workflows. Beyond establishing robust SPOS‑based workflows, this role is instrumental in expanding the oligonucleotide platform into next‑generation chemistries, novel constructs and differentiated oligonucleotide formats. This group leader operates in a dual capacity – a strategic scientific leader and a hands‑on expert at the bench guiding a growing team, internal stakeholders and external partners. The successful candidate will drive end‑to‑end oligonucleotide generation to support multiple discovery programmes, collaborate closely with delivery, analytical, biology and pre‑clinical teams and contribute to pipeline advancement toward drug‑candidate selection.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, optimise and scale high‑throughput SPOS workflows for small- and mid-scale synthesis of ASOs, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors and emerging constructs including non‑canonical chemistries and next‑generation amidites.
• Expand oligonucleotide platform capabilities beyond established modalities by evaluating, integrating and validating new chemistries, scaffolds, conjugation strategies and delivery‑enabled formats.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for synthesis, processing, purification and analytical characterisation to ensure high‑quality and reproducible results.
• Lead through hands‑on experimentation while providing scientific direction, prioritisation and troubleshooting for team members and project stakeholders.
• Build, mentor and manage a high‑performing team of research associates and scientists; coach junior scientists across levels on experimental design, execution, data interpretation and scientific thinking.
• Serve as Lead Oligonucleotide Chemist on multidisciplinary project teams with responsibility for oligo design, synthesis strategy, manufacturability assessment and optimisation toward drug‑candidate nomination.
• Possess and/or develop robust understanding in cardiovascular, metabolic, muscle and/or ophthalmological disorders.
• Collaborate closely with bioconjugation chemists to develop a seamless workflow for generation of conjugated oligonucleotides (e.g. peptides, antibodies, lipids, sugars) for in‑vitro/in‑vivo studies.
• Strategically leverage CRO partners for routine, non‑IP‑sensitive activities, while maintaining core IP‑generating chemistry and novel construct design in‑house.
• Play a key role in expanding NATi's intellectual property (IP) portfolio through generation of new chemical compositions and drug candidates; support IP filing by preparing technical documentation, coordinating patent submission and collaborating with legal teams to safeguard proprietary technologies.
• Prepare appropriate summary reports and presentations to update NATi leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• A doctorate degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry or a related field.
• A minimum of 7+ (Senior Scientist), 10+ (Principal Scientist), 13+ (Associate Director) years of hands‑on modern synthetic chemistry methods particularly in nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotide synthesis, purification and analysis in pharmaceutical or biotechnology settings.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with modern SPOS instrumentation (e.g. MerMade 192X/12, ÄKTA OligoSynth), purification systems (e.g. ÄKTA Avant/Pure, tangential flow filtration) and analytic platforms (e.g. UPLC, LC/MS, HRMS) and lyophilisers.
• Demonstrated ability to build or expand oligonucleotide chemistry capabilities, integrate emerging chemistries and develop robust platform workflows.
• Experience managing or collaborating with CROs, including tech transfer, oversight and governance of outsourced synthesis or analysis activities.
• Proven track record in advancing oligonucleotide‑based therapeutics toward candidate selection, supported by publications, patents, IND filings or other notable scientific disclosures.
• Strong leadership, mentorship and communication skills with the ability to guide junior scientists and influence cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, translational environment with shifting priorities and demanding objectives.
• A dependable partner in cross‑functional teams who embraces a collaborative culture while demonstrating the autonomy and initiative required to deliver on assigned scientific and operational responsibilities.
• Prior experience in therapeutic oligonucleotide discovery for metabolic, cardiovascular, muscle or retinal diseases is highly desirable.

Global Recruitment & Competitive Compensation

NATI is conducting a global search for top‑tier talent in RNA therapeutics. We welcome applications from leading pharmaceutical scientists and biotech innovators worldwide. This role provides a highly competitive compensation package aligned with global industry standards, including attractive benefits and long‑term career growth opportunities within Singapore's thriving biomedical innovation ecosystem.