Scientist/Senior Scientist – Oligonucleotides ADME/PK & Bioanalytics

Planet Pharma; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma in Singapore is seeking a Scientist / Senior Scientist specializing in ADME, PK and bioanalytics for oligonucleotide therapeutics. This highly translational role spans discovery through preclinical development, shaping strategies for exposure, tissue distribution and dose selection.

You will lead PK/PD interpretation, design preclinical studies, oversee external CROs, and collaborate with biology and chemistry teams to advance IND-enabling programs.

Qualifications

• We are seeking a PhD-holding scientist with preclinical ADME/DMPK experience.
• Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics (siRNA, ASO) is preferred.
• Strong PK study design and tissue distribution knowledge required.

Responsibilities

• Design, oversee and interpret preclinical ADME and PK studies for oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Characterise tissue biodistribution, metabolism, stability and exposure across models.
• Investigate hepatic and extrahepatic distribution for programs.
• Integrate PK/PD data to support candidate selection and dose regimens.
• Develop translational strategies toward IND-enabling development.
• Oversee external CRO studies and collaborate with discovery teams.

Skills

ADME

Pharmacokinetics

Bioanalytics

Oligonucleotide therapeutics

PK/PD interpretation

Tissue biodistribution

QPCR

LC-MS/MS

CRO oversight

multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Pharmacokinetics/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Molecular Biology/Pharmacology or related

Tools

qPCR

LC-MS/MS

Hybridisation assays

Job description

Location: Singapore
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Relocation: International candidates considered

The Opportunity

We are partnering with an innovative life sciences organisation in Singapore that is expanding its capabilities in nucleic acid therapeutics and translational drug development.

The organisation is seeking a Scientist / Senior Scientist specialising in ADME, pharmacokinetics and bioanalytics for oligonucleotide therapeutics.

This is a highly translational position spanning discovery through preclinical development, with responsibility for understanding how oligonucleotide therapeutics distribute, persist and perform in vivo.

The successful scientist will help shape ADME/PK, biodistribution and bioanalytical strategies, using exposure and pharmacodynamic data to inform candidate selection, dose optimisation and development decisions.

A particular area of interest is targeted and extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery, including understanding exposure and functional activity in tissues such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, oversee and interpret preclinical ADME and PK studies for oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Characterise tissue biodistribution, metabolism, stability, protein binding and exposure across relevant preclinical models.
• Investigate both hepatic and extrahepatic distribution, depending on the therapeutic program.
• Integrate PK, pharmacodynamic and functional efficacy data to understand exposure-response relationships and support candidate selection.
• Design and interpret single and repeat-dose studies to inform dose selection and regimen optimisation.
• Develop translational strategies to support programs progressing towards IND-enabling development.
• Support the preclinical evaluation of targeted oligonucleotide delivery approaches, including conjugated modalities.
• Develop, validate and implement bioanalytical assays for the quantitative assessment of oligonucleotides in plasma and tissues.
• Apply techniques including qPCR-based methods, hybridisation assays and LC-MS/MS, selecting appropriate approaches based on program requirements.
• Establish fit-for-purpose assays with suitable sensitivity, specificity and dynamic range, including for low-abundance tissue samples.
• Support biomarker strategies including target mRNA knockdown and downstream protein or functional responses.
• Work closely with discovery biology, oligonucleotide chemistry, bioconjugation and pharmacology teams.
• Manage and scientifically oversee studies conducted through external CRO partners.
• Contribute to regulatory and development activities as programs progress towards the clinic.

Background & Experience

We are particularly interested in scientists with:

• A PhD in Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology or a related scientific discipline.
• Relevant experience in preclinical ADME/DMPK, pharmacokinetics or bioanalysis, ideally within pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug development.
• Direct experience working with oligonucleotide therapeutics, such as siRNA, ASO or related modalities.
• Strong understanding of PK study design, tissue biodistribution and PK/PD relationships.
• Experience evaluating oligonucleotide exposure across plasma and tissue matrices.
• Hands-on or scientific leadership experience with bioanalytical platforms such as qPCR, LC-MS/MS and hybridisation-based assays.
• Experience integrating biodistribution, exposure, pharmacodynamic and functional data to support drug discovery decisions.
• Ability to operate across multidisciplinary programs and communicate conclusions clearly to both specialist and non-specialist stakeholders.

Particularly Attractive Experience

Candidates with experience in several of the following areas would be especially relevant:

• Oligonucleotide ADME / DMPK
• siRNA or ASO pharmacokinetics
• Tissue biodistribution
• Extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery
• Skeletal muscle or adipose tissue exposure
• Targeted or conjugated oligonucleotide therapeutics
• PK/PD modelling and interpretation
• Target engagement and knockdown studies
• qPCR and hybridisation-based bioanalysis
• LC-MS/MS bioanalysis
• Metabolite profiling
• Metabolic disease models
• Preclinical proof-of-concept studies
• IND-enabling development
• CRO oversight
• GLP-aligned studies