Scientist, Oligonucleotide Process Development

Advantage Technical; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Technical is seeking a Scientist, Process Sciences to support development, characterization, optimization, and scale‑up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes in our Cambridge, MA lab. This hands‑on, laboratory‑based role focuses on drug substance development, process development, process characterization, and manufacturing support.

This hands‑on role involves designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, and preparing technical and manufacturing documentation, while

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with ~3+ years of relevant industry experience or PhD with ~1+ year postdoc/industry experience.
• Hands-on HPLC experience is required.
• Strong background in chemistry/chemical engineering principles.
• Experience with process development and analytical methods for characterization.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development, optimization, characterization, and scale-up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes.
• Perform hands-on lab experiments supporting drug substance and API process development.
• Independently design, plan, execute, and document experiments.
• Support process/product characterization and analytical method development.
• Lead or contribute to technical projects with internal and external partners.
• Prepare and review technical protocols, reports, and manufacturing documentation.

Skills

HPLC experience

Analytical skills

Documentation & reporting

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry or related field

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

UNICORN

Veeva

Job description

Contract Duration: 12 Months with opportunity to extend

Pay Rate: Up to $56.00/hour or about $114,000 a year

Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours

Position Overview

We are seeking a Scientist, Process Sciences to support the development, characterization, optimization, and scale‑up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes. This is a highly hands‑on, laboratory‑based role focused on drug substance development, process development, process characterization, and manufacturing support.

The Scientist will independently execute experiments, lead technical projects, analyze experimental data, and prepare technical reports and manufacturing documentation. This individual will work closely with cross‑functional teams, including Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and external CMO/CRO partners, to support process development, transfer, optimization, and manufacturing of oligonucleotide drug candidates.

This position is 100% onsite at the in Cambridge, MA and requires daily laboratory work.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, optimization, characterization, and scale‑up of oligonucleotide manufacturing processes.
• Perform hands‑on laboratory experiments supporting drug substance and API process development.
• Independently design, plan, execute, and document experiments.
• Support process and product characterization of oligonucleotides and small‑molecule APIs.
• Utilize HPLC and other analytical techniques to evaluate processes and characterize products.
• Apply chemistry and/or chemical engineering principles to troubleshoot processes, interpret experimental results, and recommend improvements.
• Support the management and optimization of both in‑house and contract manufacturing processes.
• Lead or contribute to technical projects related to process development and manufacturing.
• Support process transfer and process optimization activities with internal manufacturing teams and external CMO/CRO partners.
• Author and review technical protocols, experimental reports, development reports, and manufacturing documentation.
• Prepare and review documentation in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and internal procedures.
• Collaborate closely with Analytical Development, Manufacturing, QA, QC, and external manufacturing partners.
• Participate in technical and scientific discussions and present project progress and experimental findings at internal and external meetings.
• Work safely with hazardous laboratory chemicals, including acids, bases, and chemicals commonly used in oligonucleotide development.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related scientific/engineering discipline with approximately 3+ years of relevant industry experience, OR
• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related discipline with approximately 1+ year of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Hands‑on HPLC experience is required.
• Strong background in chemistry and/or chemical engineering principles.
• Hands‑on experience with process development and analytical methods used for process and product characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute laboratory experiments.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting experimental data and applying findings to process development or optimization.
• Experience authoring technical reports, protocols, and/or manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven laboratory environment.
• Must be comfortable working with hazardous chemicals, including acids and bases, on a routine basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Approximately 3+ years of oligonucleotide therapeutics process research and development experience.
• Experience with oligonucleotide chemistry, synthesis, purification, process development, or manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience designing and developing practical manufacturing processes for oligonucleotides and/or small molecules.
• Experience with drug substance/API process development and scale‑up.
• Experience supporting technology/process transfer to manufacturing or external CMOs.
• UNICORN software experience is a plus.
• Veeva experience is preferred.

The immediate Process Sciences team consists of approximately 6 people, with a broader department of approximately 20 employees. This is an individual contributor position, although candidates with more senior experience are welcome to apply if they are comfortable remaining in a hands‑on individual contributor role.

The position requires working onsite in the laboratory five days per week. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday during normal business hours, with no regular weekend work.

Interview Process

The interview process consists of three onsite interviews conducted on the same day:

• Candidate will deliver a technical presentation.
• Presentation may cover the candidate’s PhD thesis, relevant research, process development work, or technical expertise.
• Candidates who already have an appropriate technical presentation are welcome to use it.
• Approximately 30–45 minutes will be dedicated to the presentation and questions, with the remaining time focused on the candidate’s experience and technical approach.