RNAi Discovery Leader: siRNA Platform Head

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 290,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Head of RNAi Discovery to build and lead the siRNA discovery engine, owning end-to-end strategy from library design to in vivo evaluation.

The role requires hands-on leadership of in vitro screening and chemistry optimization to deliver high-quality siRNA development candidates. The hybrid position in South San Francisco involves recruiting and developing the team, partnering with biology, DMPK, CMC and program teams, and presenting to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• PhD with 12+ years of relevant industry experience in RNAi or oligonucleotide therapeutics discovery.
• Track record of advancing siRNA programs from design to in vivo proof of concept.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the siRNA discovery strategy from target nomination to lead candidate selection.
• Lead bioinformatic design of siRNA libraries and off-target analysis.
• Scale up lead siRNAs and coordinate with PK/PD studies in mice and NHP.

Skills

RNAi design

bioinformatic design

team leadership

cross-functional collaboration

data analysis

Python or R

Education

PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry/chemistry/computational biology

Tools

Python

R scripting

Job description

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Head of RNAi Discovery to build and lead the siRNA discovery engine, owning end-to-end strategy from library design to in vivo evaluation.

The role requires hands-on leadership of in vitro screening and chemistry optimization to deliver high-quality siRNA development candidates. The hybrid position in South San Francisco involves recruiting and developing the team, partnering with biology, DMPK, CMC and program teams, and presenting to senior leadership.