Research Scientist I/II, Purification Sciences

Iambic Therapeutics, Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Company paid healthcare

401K matching

Uncapped vacation

Flexible spending accounts

Voluntary life insurance

Job summary

Iambic Therapeutics is seeking an experienced Research Scientist, Purification & Analytical Sciences in San Diego to develop small-molecule purification strategies using preparative SFC and LC, with a focus on method development and high-throughput QC workflows.

You will work closely with HT E, medicinal chemistry, and discovery teams to deliver purified compounds and robust analytical data, supporting AI-driven design–make–test–learn cycles in drug discovery.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS/BS with substantial purification experience in pharma/biotech.
• Hands-on purification with SFC and LC; problem-solving in separations.
• Ability to translate project needs into purification/analytical strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purification strategies using preparative SFC and LC.
• Optimize stationary/mobile phases, gradients, and scale-up for challenging matter.
• Support high-throughput QC workflows for compound identity and purity.
• Collaborate with HTE and medicinal chemistry to deliver high-quality compounds.
• Provide troubleshooting for chromatography, fluidics, hardware, and software.
• Maintain and optimize SFC/LC/LC-MS systems; coordinate vendors as needed.
• Advance automated HT purification and QC workflows with data management.
• Evaluate new chromatography/automation technologies to boost throughput.

Skills

Small-molecule purification

SFC method development

LC purification

High-throughput QC

Chromatographic separation science

Analytical LC/MS

Automation / HT workflows

Troubleshooting

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences/ Chemical Engineering

MS with 7+ years relevant experience

BS with 9+ years relevant experience

Tools

Agilent instrumentation

Shimadzu instrumentation

LC/MS platforms

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research Scientist, Purification & Analytical Sciences to develop and advance small-molecule purification and high-throughput analytical capabilities within our drug discovery team. This scientist will provide scientific and technical expertise in preparative SFC and LC purification, as well as high-throughput compound QC, supporting medicinal chemistry and high-throughput experimentation (HTE) platform.

A key focus of this role will be SFC-based purification, including method development, optimization, and application to diverse and challenging chemical matter. The ideal candidate will combine strong fundamentals in chromatographic separation science with hands‑on expertise in analytical QC, instrument troubleshooting, automation, and high-throughput workflows.

This scientist will work closely with HTE, medicinal chemistry and other discovery teams to rapidly deliver purified, well-characterized compounds and high-quality analytical data, supporting an AI-driven design–make–test–learn drug discovery cycle. This position will be based out of our San Diego Headquarters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute small-molecule purification strategies using preparative SFC and LC, with particular emphasis on SFC method development and optimization.

• Independently solve challenging separations through optimization of stationary/mobile phases, selectivity, gradients, sample loading, scale‑up, and fraction collection.

• Develop and support high-throughput compound QC workflows using LC/MS and related analytical techniques to assess compound identity, purity, and sample quality.

• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry and HTE teams to establish fit‑for‑purpose purification and QC strategies and rapidly deliver high-quality compounds.

• Serve as a technical resource for SFC/LC purification, analytical QC, and instrument troubleshooting, including root‑cause analysis of chromatography, fluidics, hardware, and software issues.

• Provide hands‑on support for SFC, LC, and LC/MS platforms, including maintenance, system optimization, and vendor coordination.

• Develop and improve automated and high-throughput purification and QC workflows, integrating sample handling, purification, fraction processing, analytical characterization, and data management.

• Evaluate and implement new chromatography, analytical, automation, and informatics technologies to expand throughput, capacity, and operational efficiency.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline with 0-5 years of relevant experience; or a MS with 7+ years / BS with 9+ years of relevant experience.

• Strong hands‑on expertise in small-molecule chromatographic purification and method development, preferably in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or drug discovery environment.

• Demonstrated expertise in preparative SFC, including method development, optimization, and troubleshooting; preparative LC experience is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of chromatographic separation science and demonstrated ability to independently solve complex purification problems.

• Strong instrument troubleshooting skills, including experience diagnosing chromatography, fluidics, hardware, software, and workflow issues.

• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry and small-molecule drug discovery, with the ability to translate project needs into effective purification and analytical strategies.

• Excellent scientific problem‑solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with high-throughput LC/MS analysis and compound QC, including purity and identity assessment, is strongly preferred.

• Experience with automation, high-throughput workflows, and informatics/data‑management systems is highly desirable.

• Experience with Agilent, Shimadzu, or comparable analytical and purification platforms is a plus.

ABOUT IAMBIC THERAPEUTICS

Iambic is a clinical‑stage life‑science and technology company developing novel medicines using its AI‑driven discovery and development platform. Based in San Diego and founded in 2020, Iambic has assembled a world‑class team that unites pioneering AI experts and experienced drug hunters. The Iambic platform has demonstrated delivery of new drug candidates to human clinical trials with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. Iambic is advancing a pipeline of potential best‑in‑class and first‑in‑class clinical assets, both internally and in partnership, to address urgent unmet patient need. Learn more about the Iambic team, platform, pipeline, and partnerships at iambic.ai.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Our mission is to deliver better medicines through innovations in AI‑based discovery technologies. The culture and work at Iambic Therapeutics are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our people and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where a diverse group of talented humans work together to discover therapeutics and create technologies.

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer industry leading competitive pay, company paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401K matching, and uncapped vacation to our team. We are in a brand-new state‑of‑the‑art facility in beautiful San Diego with an onsite gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.