Principal Chemist

LGC; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 131,155 - 196,733; Full time

Job summary

LGC is looking for a Principal Oligonucleotide Chemist in Petaluma, California. This senior role demands a proven leader in oligonucleotide product development and synthesis, integrating strategic and hands-on responsibilities. You will guide innovation, project management, and mentorship of scientists, supporting customer-facing programs within the Innovation Hub.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. and has over 15 years in the oligonucleotide field, showcasing excellent collaborative and communicative skills. A competitive salary based on experience is offered.

Qualifications

• 15 years of industry experience in oligonucleotide synthesis.
• Ability to lead technical projects and mentor scientists.
• Excellent communication skills for technical presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Oligo Chemistry Function in Petaluma.
• Oversee oligonucleotide synthesis projects.
• Mentor and develop scientists in oligonucleotide chemistry.

Skills

Oligonucleotide chemistry

Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis

Analytical characterization

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry or related field

Job description

About LGC Biosearch Technologies

With manufacturing sites across the US, UK, Germany, and Denmark, LGC Biosearch Technologies delivers mission‑critical genomics to customers in molecular diagnostics, pharma/biotech, and agrigenomics. Our integrated portfolio of products, services, and expertise supports our purpose of Science for a Safer World.

Position Summary

The Principal Oligonucleotide Chemist is a senior scientific leader responsible for driving oligonucleotide product development, synthesis, process development, and innovation across the Innovation Hub, operations, and customer‑facing programs. The role blends hands‑on laboratory execution with strategic experimental design, data‑driven development, project leadership, and mentorship of scientists to deliver new products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Petaluma Innovation Hub Oligo Chemistry Function by delivering customer co‑creation and NPD products/projects from concept through delivery.
• Partner with peers and global team to deliver to customers and achieve Innovation Hub development and financial objectives.
• Serve as a technical lead for a multi‑site, multi‑function development team for oligonucleotide synthesis, modification, deprotection, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Participate in evaluation of new technologies and oligonucleotide market strategy.
• Oversee and execute oligo synthesis projects, including experimental design, planning, prioritization, and resource coordination.
• Deliver and control new methods, workflows, and manufacturing protocols for oligonucleotide synthesis, purification, and analysis; support operations technically.
• Optimize and define manufacturing instructions for low‑yielding or impure processes.
• Lead projects and staff hands‑on in the lab by performing and training synthesis and purification of oligonucleotides using automated and manual techniques.
• Conduct analytical characterization (LC‑MS, HPLC, CE, UV‑Vis) to confirm identity, purity, and impurity profiles.
• Troubleshoot synthetic routes, instrument performance, and purification workflows and analytics to ensure consistent, high‑quality output.
• Develop and refine synthetic routes, synthesis method refinement, coupling conditions, deprotection strategies, and purification methods.
• Design rigorous, data‑driven experiments to optimize yield, purity, scalability (up and down), and process robustness.
• Use mechanistic understanding and statistical analysis to adjust development plans and guide next‑step decision‑making.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts by designing investigation maps and structured experimental plans.
• Document experimental results, conclusions, and recommendations by industry standard technical summary reports and within quality certification requirements.
• Successfully lead and deliver oligonucleotide customer co‑creation and NPD projects.
• Participate in technical customer calls related to custom oligo manufacturing, product investigations, and development updates.
• Present technical content to commercial teams and customers, including data reviews, capability overviews, and project progress.
• Provide technical support to Operations for process optimization, scale‑up, and continual improvement.
• Lead the successful transfer of custom product methods and procedures into MSAT and Operations teams.
• Develop effective tech transfer plans and verify training for newly developed processes.
• Deliver method validation in alignment with Quality department requirements.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause investigations for manufacturing challenges.
• Mentor and develop scientists in oligonucleotide chemistry; provide guidance in technical skills, experimental design, and professional development.
• Promote rigorous laboratory order and management, controlled documentation, and best practices in experimental execution.
• Foster a collaborative, trust‑building, and growth‑oriented environment that supports scientific excellence.

Technical Skills

• Proven expertise in oligonucleotide chemistry.
• Demonstrated knowledge of solid‑phase oligonucleotide synthesis and modification.
• Skilled in analytical characterization of oligonucleotides, including impurity profiling.
• Demonstrated project management skills with experience leading matrixed teams through complex development projects.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field with extensive experience in oligonucleotide chemistry.
• Minimum of 15 years of direct industry experience in oligonucleotide synthesis, product and process development, and tech transfer into manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects, mentor scientists, and collaborate cross‑functionally.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical content to internal and external audiences.

Additional Information

• Typical pay range for this California‑based position: Minimum $131,155 annually, maximum $196,733 annually.
• Actual base salary will depend on experience, skills, and location.

Equal Opportunities

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.