Organic Chemist / Platform Chemistry Scientist - DNA-Encoded Libraries

YOH Services LLC; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Life & Disability Insurance

MetLife Voluntary Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

401K Retirement Savings Plan

Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll

Referral Bonus Programs

Certification and training

Job summary

Yoh Life Sciences in Cambridge, MA, is hiring an Organic Chemist / Platform Chemistry Scientist for the Encoded Technologies team. This onsite, contract role focuses on hands-on synthesis and DNA-encoded library chemistry to drive early drug discovery.

The ideal candidate will independently plan and execute synthetic experiments, troubleshoot complex reactions, and collaborate across a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or closely related discipline with substantial synthetic organic chemistry research experience.
• Strong hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry and small-molecule synthesis.
• Experience with reaction development, reaction optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and document laboratory experiments.
• Strong understanding of organic reaction mechanisms and synthetic strategy.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality scientific work.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize on-DNA compounds to support binder confirmation and drug discovery projects within established timelines.
• Develop, evaluate, and optimize DNA-compatible organic reactions for use in DNA-encoded library production.
• Design and execute synthetic chemistry experiments, including reaction screening and optimization.
• Troubleshoot reaction performance and use experimental data to guide subsequent chemistry.
• Analyze, interpret, document, and communicate experimental results clearly.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory safety, data quality, and documentation.
• Collaborate with scientists across chemistry and other drug discovery functions.
• Manage multiple experiments and priorities while delivering high-quality results.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Medicinal chemistry

Chemical biology

Synthesis

Reaction development

Plan and execute experiments

Data interpretation

Detail-oriented

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field

Tools

LC-MS

HPLC

NMR

Job description

Yoh Life Sciences is seeking an Organic Chemist / Platform Chemistry Scientist to support a leading pharmaceutical company's Encoded Technologies team in Cambridge, MA.

Location: Cambridge, MA

Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM EST

Pay Rate: $45.00-$49.50/hr

Job Type: Contract

Minimum Education: PhD

About the Role

The Platform Chemistry Scientist will join an Encoded Technologies chemistry team supporting drug discovery through DNA-encoded library technologies. This position will focus on hands‑on organic synthesis, reaction development and optimization, and on‑DNA chemistry.

The ideal candidate is a strong experimental chemist who can independently plan and execute synthetic chemistry experiments, troubleshoot challenging reactions, interpret experimental results, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary scientific team.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize on-DNA compounds to support binder confirmation and drug discovery projects within established timelines.
• Develop, evaluate, and optimize DNA-compatible organic reactions for use in DNA-encoded library production.
• Design and execute synthetic chemistry experiments, including reaction screening and optimization.
• Troubleshoot reaction performance and use experimental data to guide subsequent chemistry.
• Analyze, interpret, document, and clearly communicate experimental results.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory safety, data quality, scientific rigor, and experimental documentation.
• Collaborate closely with scientists across chemistry and other drug discovery functions.
• Effectively manage multiple experiments and priorities while consistently delivering high-quality results.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline with substantial synthetic organic chemistry research experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience in synthetic organic chemistry and small‑molecule synthesis.
• Demonstrated experience with reaction development, reaction optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and document laboratory experiments.
• Strong understanding of organic reaction mechanisms and synthetic strategy.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast‑paced laboratory environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality scientific work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with on-DNA synthesis or DNA-compatible chemistry.
• Experience with DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) or related chemistry platforms.
• Experience developing or adapting synthetic reactions for DNA-compatible or aqueous conditions.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques used to evaluate synthetic chemistry experiments, such as LC-MS, HPLC, and/or NMR.
• Experience in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, or small-molecule drug discovery.
• Strong scientific problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to an innovative chemistry platform supporting early‑stage drug discovery. You'll work hands‑on with DNA-encoded library technologies while collaborating with experienced scientists to develop new chemistry, optimize reactions, and advance binder‑confirmation efforts.

What's In It for You?

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Benefits (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• Life & Disability Insurance (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• MetLife Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401K Retirement Savings Plan
• Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll
• Referral Bonus Programs
• Certification and training opportunities

Note: Any pay ranges displayed are estimations. Actual pay is determined by an applicant's experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications as listed in the job description. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply.

Estimated Min Rate: $45.00

Estimated Max Rate: $49.50

Yoh is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Yoh, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visit https://www.yoh.com/applicants-with-disabilities to contact us if you are an individual with a disability and require accommodation in the application process.

For California applicants, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. All of the material job duties described in this posting are job duties for which a criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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