Scientist III

Planet Pharma; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a highly motivated scientist to drive purification development for oligonucleotide and peptide therapeutics. You will work on process development, characterization, and scale-up across chromatography, UF/DF, and related steps, collaborating with synthesis, analytics, and manufacturing teams.

The role involves tech transfer to pilot/GMP facilities, documentation, and potential leadership of pilot activities. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven record of planning and executing projects and experiments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in developing purification technologies for oligonucleotides/peptides.
• Knowledge of purification unit operations (chromatography, UF/DF).
• Experience with AKTA/Umbrella software and DoE is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize purification processes for oligonucleotides and peptides.
• Utilize chromatography and UF/DF; learn cleavage/conjugation/hybridization steps.
• Scale-up and technology transfer to pilot and GMP facilities; support IND writing.
• Lead pilot scale activities and contribute to cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Project planning

Communication

Purification knowledge

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s in Biochemistry/Chemical Engineering/Chemistry

Master’s in life sciences (optional)

Tools

AKTA purification systems

Unicorn software

DoE (design of experiments)

Job description

Pay range

45-55/hr *depending on exp

Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative individual with some process development experience to join our Oligonucleotide/Peptide Purification Development team. This position provides an exciting opportunity to develop robust, high purity, state of the art processes for the purification of oligonucleotides. This position provides an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the design and development of manufacturing processes for clinical and commercial therapeutics. We are looking for someone who is passionate for exploring novel scientific ideas and play a key role in developing new cutting-edge technologies with a vision to push state-of-art science in oligonucleotide and peptide purification that can ultimately impact patient lives.

Job Description

This role in the oligonucleotide development modality is responsible for purification development including process development, process characterization, scale-up, for all unit operations (chromatography, detritylation, UF/DF) with some guidance. This position is expected to learn our oligonucleotide platform and develop our peptide platform while exploring non-platform and novel purification steps. They should have knowledge of the manufacturing facilities and equipment, contribute to tech transfer activities, document review, provide on-the-manufacturing floor support, troubleshooting and authoring CMC section of INDs. These activities can include early and late-stage process characterization and robustness studies. This position will act as a subject matter expert on purification processes to facilitate interactions internally within the oligonucleotide organization (synthesis, drug product, analytical) as well as cross-functionally (with Research/Manufacturing/MS project and tech transfer teams). The ability to write development reports, training/mentoring of new employees, lead pilot scale activities and collaborate across teams or lead small, focused initiatives are important. Some independent work is expected (e.g., root cause investigations, evaluation of processes) with some guidance from the supervisor.

Responsibilities

Develop and characterize purification processes for a rapidly expanding pipeline of new oligonucleotides and peptide drug therapies. The individual will utilize multiple modes of chromatography and ultrafiltration and learn chemical cleavage/conjugation/hybridization steps. Investigate new purification technologies that seek to enhance purity, process robustness and/or productivity of our existing oligonucleotide platform process. Collaborate cross-functionally with other groups to improve process understanding and manage team activities. Document laboratory work in development reports, training/mentoring of new employees, and lead pilot scale activities. Scale-up and technology transfer oligonucleotide processes into our pilot and GMP manufacturing facilities and participate in writing regulatory sections for INDs.

Qualifications

• Proven record of successfully planning and executing projects and experiments. Excellent verbal andwritten communication skills.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency and creativity in developing innovative technologies/approaches in purification. Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Lab experience in purification of proteins, peptides and/or DNA/RNA using column chromatography (e.g., Ion exchange, Hydrophobic Interaction, and/or Reversed phase) and UF/DF.
• Some hands-on experience in analysis of proteins, peptides or DNA/RNA, preferably using both
• HPLC and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Experience using AKTA purification systems and Unicorn software and use of statistical design (DoE) are a plus. Experience in statistical analysis is also a plus.
• Motivated to work and communicate both individually and within teams

Education

Associate Scientist 3/Engineer 2: Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related life science field with 2-4 years industry experience (or master’s degree with 0-2 years of industry experience) is required. Senior Associate Scientist: Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related life science field with 4 years industry experience (or master’s degree with 2 years of industry experience) is required.