Senior Scientist I - Discovery Chemistry

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Performance-based bonuses

401(k) with Company Match

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Job summary

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior Scientist I to lead multi-step synthesis, purification, and compound characterization, driving SAR development in a fast-paced team.

You will plan experiments, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to project meetings and reports. Qualifications include a PhD in Chemistry with postdoc or industry experience, expertise in chromatography and analytical methods, and a proven track record in synthetic organic chemistry.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related discipline with 2 years postdoc or 2–5 years in industry in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry.
• Familiar with modern chromatographic techniques, automated flash chromatography and modern analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC, LCMS).
• Experience designing synthetic routes and multi-step syntheses independently.
• Track record of scientific achievement demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
• Superior lab skills and safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and execute multi-step synthesis including purification and characterization.
• Collaborate across disciplines and participate in project team meetings.
• Prepare compounds for various scales (50 mg to 50 g) and optimize synthesis.
• Draft protocols and SOPs; train and mentor staff.
• Maintain lab notebooks and ensure safety and proper waste management.

Skills

Independent work

Synthesis planning

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Postdoctoral experience or 2-5 years industry experience

Tools

ChemDraw

MS Office

SD file handling

HPLC

NMR

LCMS

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to join our Chemistry Department as a Senior Scientist I and work as part of a team to drive success. Ideal candidates will be self-motivated, independent, and highly flexible within a fast-paced environment.

The Senior Scientist I will be responsible for planning, designing, and executing multi-step synthesis including purification and compound characterization, active collaboration with colleagues across disciplines, participation in project team meetings, and contribution toward creative problem solving and SAR development. This role will be expected to be an active participant and participate in experimental design and planning.

• Develop and promote a workplace culture that values diversity of thought, promote integrity and create an atmosphere that supports coaching and fosters accountability.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with critical collaborative partners throughout the company.
• Carry out assigned laboratory functions applying knowledge and skill in an accurate, timely manner.
• Under general supervision, independently conduct multi-step synthesis and optimization through effective reaction planning, troubleshooting, and systematic analysis and prepare reports.
• Generate and execute new research ideas based on the findings. Make go and no-go decisions, prioritize and re-prioritize research efforts based on the data.
• Purification and characterize compounds using a variety of techniques.
• Prepare compounds on different scales to accommodate program needs ranging from 50mg to 50g.
• Landscape analysis of competitor compounds and platform, to create novel scaffold and distinct chemical construct.
• Track progress against project timelines, generate regular status updates, and communicate progress and issues with team members.
• Presentation of results in both written and oral format and delivery of progress reports within a multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports and presentations for internal project teams, leadership team, and external audience.
• Write protocols and create SOP for all the new discovery research efforts.
• Train and mentor entry-level staff.
• Manage and maintain equipment, reagents and dedicated laboratory environment needed to carry out assignments; Troubleshoot and solve equipment/technical problems.
• Maintain corporate standards for lab safety and hazardous material management; execute daily chemistry operations with an approach designed to minimize risks and hazard waste streams.
• Maintain updated and well-organized lab notebooks.
• Manage and maintain equipment, reagents and dedicated laboratory environment needed to carry out assignments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Characteristics:

Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

On-Site Protocol:

Physical presence at the ADARx Pharmaceuticals worksite is a necessary job function of this role, which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well-being and engagement, and it enhances the Company culture.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, or related scientific discipline; 2 years of postdoctoral experience or 2-5 years of relevant industry experience in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry.
• Familiar with modern chromatographic techniques, automated flash chromatography and modern analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC, LCMS etc).
• Experience in independently designing synthetic routes and conducting multi-step syntheses.’
• Broad knowledge of scientific experience with track record of scientific achievement demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
• Superior laboratory skills and awareness of laboratory safety.
• A track-record of impacting drug discovery programs through driving projects to key decision points.
• In-depth knowledge of modern organic synthetic methods, purification, and analytical techniques as well as medicinal chemistry.
• Understanding of project timelines and deliverables and plans/coordinate project work accordingly with departmental, functional, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office, ChemDraw and SD files.

Required Key Attributes:

• Must be able to work independently with supervision as needed.
• Proficient at working independently as well as in cross-functional team settings
• Adaptable / Flexible - willing and able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities as well as an ability to meet day-to-day challenges with confidence and professionalism.
• Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills with the ability to take a hands-on approach to work effectively in a dynamic and collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude towards exploring new approaches.
• Good verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday, occasional overtime.
• Pay is commensurate with experience.
• Equity-based compensation
• Performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick, Jury Duty, Bereavement

Work Authorization:

• United States (Required)
• As a condition of employment, you must successfully complete all post-offer, pre-employment requirements, including but not limited to a background check.

Company Overview:

ADARx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (the "Company" or "ADARx") located in San Diego, is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to transforming cutting-edge science into next-generation RNA therapeutics to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. Our goal is to control the expression of specific disease drivers with highly selective RNA targeted therapies, delivering life-changing treatments for patients with urgent unmet medical needs.

Disclosure Statement

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
• Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
• The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual target bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, type and length of experience within the industry, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
• Total Compensation includes base salary; benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance; life insurance; 401(k) matching program; paid time off; paid holidays; Employee Assistance Program; and other employee benefits. This role may also be eligible for short-term or long-term incentive compensation, including but not limited to cash bonuses.
• Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current NAI employee who was conditionally offered the position.

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.