Oligo Discovery Chemistry Principal Scientist

GSK; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 121,275 - 202,125; Full time

Job summary

GSK in Cambridge, MA is seeking a PhD-level chemist to help establish pre‑clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, and linkers. The role covers method development from milligram to gram scale and requires leadership in cross‑functional settings.

You will design workflows, draft SOPs, and work with analytical teams to ensure high-quality conjugates while collaborating across teams to meet program milestones.

Qualifications

• PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology or related fields.
• 2+ years in modern synthetic chemistry, incl. small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidites, purification, and analysis.
• Experience with HPLC purification techniques and LC/MS analytics.
• Experience in lipid/PEG‑lipid/sterol/dinucleotide and amidite chemistry; familiarity with RNA therapeutics.
• Team‑focused with initiative and problem-solving abilities.
• Mentorship and project leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities of ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates with multistep synthesis from the milligram to gram scale.
• Design and optimize synthetic workflows; draft SOPs to support next‑gen chemistry and method development.
• Serve as the small molecule and lipid SME for the team, representing conjugates in cross‑matrix meetings.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification to ensure high‑quality, reproducible results.
• Collaborate with oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure accountability and excellence in small molecule and lipid conjugate synthesis.
• Collaborate across teams to build robust study designs and workflows to meet portfolio endpoints.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Data Analysis

Design Thinking

Drug Design

Drug Discovery

Medicinal Chemistry

Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

HPLC purification (RP/SEC/IC)

LC/MS analytics

ÄKTA systems

Job description

Business Introduction

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting‑edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Job Description

The successful candidate will help establish pre‑clinical capabilities within GSK’s new oligo synthesis lab. Areas of focus are producing small molecules, lipids, and linkers for ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors conjugates, discovery chemistry, and method development. Your expertise will enable us to solve complex chemical challenges, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Establish pre‑clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities of ASOs, siRNA, SSO, and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates with multistep synthesis from the milligram to gram scale.
• Perform hands‑on work, establish small molecule, lipid, linker, and other synthetic workflows including designing structure activity relationship studies, implementing synthetic routes, and drafting SOPs in support of next‑generation chemistry and method development.
• Serve as the small molecule and lipid SME for the team, representing conjugates in various cross‑matrix meetings.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing, and purification to ensure high‑quality, reproducible results.
• Work with the oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure accountability and excellence in small molecule and lipid conjugate synthesis.
• Collaborate and communicate across various teams to build robust study designs and workflows, or leverage internal resources to deliver on portfolio endpoints.

Basic Qualification

• PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology or related fields.
• 2+ years of industry experience in modern synthetic chemistry methods, particularly with small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification, and analysis.
• Experience with HPLC purification techniques such as reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography potentially using Agilent, Waters, or Cytiva ÄKTA Avant and Pure purification systems, and LC/MS analytics.
• Experience in lipid, PEG‑lipid, sterol, dinucleotide, and amidite synthetic chemistry, and biological familiarity of RNA therapeutics (e.g. ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA Editors, mRNA).
• Team‑focused with strong initiative and ability to troubleshoot challenges and implement novel solutions.
• Prior experience with scientific and professional mentorship and project leadership.

Preferred Qualification

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a team.
• Prior experience with oligonucleotide synthesis and nucleoside chemistry is desirable but not required.
• Demonstrable sense of urgency, flexibility, independence and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of integrity while balancing multiple priorities and responsibilities.
• Must be a committed team player prepared to work in and embrace a team‑based culture.

Working Arrangement

This role is fulltime on‑site at our Cambridge, MA offices.

What we value in you

We value curiosity, accountability, and respectful collaboration. We look for practical problem solvers who communicate clearly and act with scientific rigour. We welcome people with varied backgrounds and perspectives who will strengthen our inclusive team.

How to apply

If you are excited by this opportunity, please submit your CV and a short note describing what motivates you about this role. We look forward to learning how your skills and experience can help us get ahead of disease together.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry, Data Analysis, Design Thinking, Drug Design, Drug Discovery Process, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Compensation Information

If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $121,275 to $202,125. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share‑based long‑term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.

Benefits

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

EEO Statement

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.