Research Associate, Library Synthesis

X-Chem•Waltham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At X-Chem, it is our mission to leverage the world’s leading drug discovery platform to help create molecules that will improve human health. X-Chem is a leader in small molecule discovery science, providing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a complete, seamless solution for screening, hit validation, and lead optimization. As pioneers of DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) technology, the company leverages its market-leading DEL platform to rapidly screen billions of diverse drug-like molecules to discover novel small molecule leads against challenging, high-value therapeutic targets. In house hit-to-lead and lead optimization services driven by AI and physics-based modeling enable clients to progress their compounds directly from hit all the way through to candidate nomination. Our well-proven expertise in medicinal chemistry, custom synthesis, and scale-up process chemistry enables us to support all aspects of drug discovery in a deeply integrated technology-driven platform. This role offers hands-on experience in high-throughput on-DNA chemistry, reaction optimization, and library synthesis within a collaborative, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will contribute to high-quality experimental execution, data integrity, and continuous improvement of workflows while working closely with cross-functional and global teams to advance innovative discovery efforts.

Requirements

BS or MS in Chemistry or a related field, with 6 months to 2 years of laboratory experience in an academic or industrial setting
Experience in organic synthesis
Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively to meet timelines
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present to external partners
Meticulous approach to documentation and data handling
Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment

Nice To Haves

Working familiarity with LCMS is highly valuable
The ability to present scientific data internally/externally

Responsibilities

High-throughput, on-DNA reaction validation
Reaction optimization of on-DNA chemistry
Library synthesis for DNA-encoded-libraries (DELs)
Buffer preparations
Reagent and consumables ordering
Document and communicate experimental results clearly, both within the team and in cross-site meetings
Ensure high-quality experimental execution, meticulous record keeping, and adherence to laboratory safety standards
Collaborate closely with the DEL team and global colleagues to align priorities and advance ongoing projects
Contribute to continuous improvement of internal methods, protocols, and workflows