Oligo Discovery Chemistry Principal Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity incentive

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

GSK in Cambridge, MA is seeking a PhD‑level chemist to establish pre‑clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities, producing ASOs, siRNA, SSO and RNA editor conjugates, and to advance small molecules and lipids for oligonucleotide therapeutics.

You will design SAR studies, develop SOPs, and mentor teams while collaborating across groups to drive portfolio endpoints in oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Qualifications

• PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology.
• 2+ years industry experience in modern synthetic chemistry methods with small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification and analysis.
• Experience with HPLC purification techniques and LC/MS analytics, and familiarity with RNA therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Establish pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities of ASOs, siRNA, SSO and RNA editors with small molecules and lipids.
• Design structure–activity relationship studies and draft SOPs for next‑gen chemistry and method development.
• Serve as SME for small molecules and lipids and present conjugates in cross‑matrix meetings.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing and purification to ensure high quality results.
• Collaborate across teams to build robust study designs and workflows.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Data Analysis

Design Thinking

Drug Design

Drug Discovery Process

Medicinal Chemistry

Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Education

PhD

Tools

HPLC purification

LC/MS analytics

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 to 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 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 Qualifications

• 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 AKTA 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 Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a team are required.
• 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 full‑time on‑site at our Cambridge, MA offices.

Skills

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

Salary & Benefits

For candidates based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary range for new hires is $121,275 to $202,125. The U.S. salary range takes into account work location, candidate skills, experience, education level and 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. If salary ranges are not displayed for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate recruitment staff by emailing us at [e-mail].