Research Associate, Chemistry

Arnatar Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnatar Therapeutics in San Diego is seeking a Research Associate Oligonucleotides. This early-stage R&D role requires proactive collaboration and a portfolio mindset, with a track record in delivering clinical results.

You will join a cross-functional team spanning chemistry, biology, analytical sciences, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, and you will manage collaborations and CRO vendors while being hands-on in the lab.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 0–4 years of work experience, preferably in an industrial setting.
• Experience with instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis spectrometry is required.
• Ability to function within a highly interdisciplinary environment with tight timelines is a must.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good organization, multitasking abilities, team and independent work capability.
• Solid experience in oligonucleotide synthesis and understanding of IP/regulatory landscape around oligonucleotides.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesis, purification, and analysis of chemically modified oligonucleotides.
• Improve upon and/or develop new synthetic methods and processes to expand capabilities.
• Utilize UV-Vis, HPLC, and LC-MS for analysis of crude and purified products.
• Troubleshoot synthetic/process issues and independently find solutions.
• Develop automation for downstream processing and annealing into siRNA duplexes.
• Analyze, interpret, and present analytical data to team members.

Skills

Oligonucleotide synthesis

Proactive team player

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or related field

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

UV-Vis spectrometry

Job description

Arnatar Therapeutics is a clinical stage, mission-driven biotechnology company advancing transformative RNA medicines using best-in-class antisense technology. We combine deep scientific expertise in RNA biology, medicinal chemistry, and translational development to deliver therapies for diseases with high unmet medical need. Our culture prioritizes innovation, scientific rigor, and collaborative problem-solving to accelerate the translation of novel RNA modalities into the clinic.

Position Summary

Arnatar is seeking a Research Associate Oligonucleotides. This Research level R&D position requires strategic thinking, an ability to work pro-actively and collaboratively. Candidate should have a portfolio mindset and deep scientific expertise. Applicants should have strong experience in oligonucleotide drug synthesis and optimization with a proven track record in delivering clinical results.

Working as part of a cross-functional team spanning chemistry, biology, analytical sciences, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, the candidate will manage collaborations and CRO vendors. This candidate must have a “can do” attitude with a hands-on approach, being in the lab.

Role and responsibilities:

• Design, synthesis, purification, and analysis of chemically modified oligonucleotides
• Improve upon and/or develop new synthetic methods and processes to expand the current capabilities
• Utilize analytical instrumentation such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS for the analysis of both crude and purified synthetic products
• Effectively troubleshoot synthetic/process issues and independently find solutions
• Improve upon and/or develop new methods and automation for the downstream processing of synthetic oligonucleotides and their subsequent analysis/purification and annealing into siRNA duplexes
• Analyze, interpret, and organize analytical data to present to team members

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field
• 0-4 years of work experience, preferably in an industrial setting
• Experience with instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis spectrometry, etc. is required.
• Ability to function within a highly interdisciplinary environment with tight timelines is a must
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good organization skills, the ability to multitask, and the ability to work within a team and/or independently are required
• Strong commitment to high laboratory and scientific standards and the ability to maintain a safe, clean, and orderly laboratory work environment
• Solid experience in oligonucleotide synthesis is required
• Understanding of the IP and regulatory landscape around oligonucleotide therapeutics
• High level of creativity and productivity with strong problem-solving skills, synthetic methods, reaction mechanisms analytical methodology
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Desire to work with the team in the lab making novel oligos and developing new processes
• Bioconjugation Chemistry is preferred
• Experience in solid-phase synthesis of biomolecules and a good understanding of the procedures involved in SPS are preferred
• Experience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP HPLC, SPE, LC-MS) is a plus
• Cell delivery technologies is a plus

Notice to agencies:

Arnatar Therapeutics will not accept unsolicited assistance from recruiting/search agencies for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by recruiting or search agencies to any employee at Arnatar Therapeutics via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search/recruitment agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Arnatar Therapeutics. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Arnatar Therapeutics as a result of the referral or through other means.