Director, Chemistry
About The Position
The Director, Chemistry will provide scientific and strategic leadership for the design, optimization, and advancement of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics, with a focus on conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery technologies. This individual will lead efforts across discovery platforms, driving innovation in chemical optimization, ligand-mediated delivery, and bioconjugation strategies to improve potency, biodistribution, tissue specificity, exposure, and safety profiles. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in nucleic acid chemistry and therapeutic delivery, along with a demonstrated track record advancing discovery programs from concept through IND-enabling studies. This leader will play a critical role in evaluating and implementing emerging modalities, including antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), to expand extrahepatic delivery capabilities.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline.
- 12+ years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutics, conjugation chemistry, or targeted delivery platforms within biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings.
- Demonstrated success advancing therapeutic programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
- Strong experience with ligand-mediated delivery, receptor targeting, and extrahepatic delivery approaches.
- Expertise in bioconjugation technologies and emerging modalities such as AOCs targeted oligonucleotide conjugates.
- Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional scientific teams and complex research programs.
- Strong understanding of pharmacology, DMPK, biodistribution, and translational considerations for oligonucleotide therapeutics.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and strategic leadership skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead the scientific strategy and execution for conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery approaches supporting oligonucleotide therapeutic programs.
- Drive innovation across conjugation design, chemical optimization, and ligand-mediated delivery technologies.
- Establish and advance platform capabilities in bioconjugation, receptor/ligand targeting, and extrahepatic delivery systems.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams advancing oligonucleotide programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
- Design and optimize conjugation strategies to improve potency, stability, pharmacokinetics, tissue specificity, and therapeutic index.
- Collaborate with biology, DMPK, toxicology, translational sciences, and clinical development teams to drive candidate selection and advancement.
- Identify, assess, and integrate novel conjugation chemistries, targeting ligands, and delivery technologies.
- Serve as a key scientific leader across research and development functions.
- Build and mentor high-performing scientific teams while fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, governance committees, and external collaborators.
- Support external partnerships, collaborations, and diligence activities related to delivery and conjugation technologies.
- Stay current with scientific advancements and competitive landscape in oligonucleotide therapeutics and conjugate technologies.
- Other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
