Research Associate I / Research Associate II, Manufacturing Process Research

Ionis•Carlsbad, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Ionis Pharmaceuticals is a leader in RNA-targeted medicines, with its Manufacturing & Operations organization developing and manufacturing oligonucleotide drug substance and drug product for clinical development and commercial programs. The Development Chemistry team operates at the intersection of chemistry, process development, analytical science, and manufacturing to create robust, scalable processes for various modalities including antisense, siRNA, modified oligonucleotides, and peptide-conjugated compounds. This role supports laboratory-scale oligonucleotide manufacturing processes, involving defined experiments, material preparation and purification, analytical data review, and documentation. The position offers exposure to solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, cleavage, deprotection, conjugation, purification, annealing, filtration, and related process operations. The successful candidate will be comfortable learning new chemistry and equipment, following procedures, recognizing unexpected results, and communicating observations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related scientific discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Demonstrated understanding of basic chemistry, laboratory practices, and scientific problem solving through academic, internship, research, or industry experience.
Ability to follow written procedures and experimental plans accurately while maintaining careful records.
Ability to analyze and communicate basic experimental results and recognize when results require additional review or escalation.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to data accuracy.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional laboratory and manufacturing support environment.
Ability to stand for extended periods and perform routine laboratory activities, including handling materials and equipment.
Willingness and ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals and biological or pharmaceutical materials, as applicable to assigned work.
Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support time-sensitive experiments or manufacturing activities.

Nice To Haves

For the Research Associate II position, at least 2 years of relevant experience is required.
Research or industry experience with oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, peptide conjugates, process chemistry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or purification science.
Familiarity with solid-phase synthesis, chromatography, filtration, tangential flow filtration, or laboratory-scale manufacturing operations.
Exposure to HPLC, LC-MS, UV detection, or interpretation of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric data.
Experience using an electronic laboratory notebook, laboratory information system, spreadsheet, or other scientific data system.
Familiarity with good laboratory practices, good manufacturing practices, chemical hygiene, or data integrity principles.
Experience preparing technical summaries, laboratory reports, posters, or scientific presentations.

Responsibilities

Execute defined laboratory experiments supporting oligonucleotide process development and manufacturing research.
Perform laboratory-scale solid-phase synthesis and related operations, including reagent preparation, coupling, oxidation, detritylation, phosphorus deprotection, cleavage, and deprotection.
Prepare, process, and purify oligonucleotide materials using techniques such as reverse-phase and anion-exchange chromatography, filtration, tangential flow filtration, annealing, concentration, and isolation.
Support assigned process-development programs, which may include antisense, siRNA, conjugated, and other modified oligonucleotide modalities.
Evaluate process conditions, materials, resins, reagents, and equipment settings under guidance from experienced team members.
Prepare laboratory-scale drug substance, intermediates, authentic research materials, impurity samples, and samples for analytical development or manufacturing support.
Collect, organize, and review experimental and analytical data, including chromatographic and mass-spectrometric results, yields, recoveries, concentrations, and impurity profiles.
Record experimental procedures, observations, calculations, results, and conclusions accurately and promptly in the electronic laboratory notebook and associated data systems.
Contribute data and written content to development chemistry reports, presentations, process summaries, and other technical documents under appropriate review.
Operate laboratory equipment after training and authorization: perform routine cleaning, maintenance, readiness checks, and required documentation.
Support investigations into unexpected processes or analytical results by gathering information, repeating defined experiments, and escalating findings to the project lead.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Analytical Development & Quality Control, Process Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Development, Quality, and other partners to complete assigned work.
Follow laboratory safety requirements, chemical-handling procedures, data-integrity expectations, and applicable quality and compliance practices.
Maintain an organized laboratory environment and support inventory, material tracking, and safe laboratory operations.