Scientist III, Discovery Chemistry (Synthetic Chemistry)

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals•San Diego, CA

1d•$115,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated Scientist III to join its Discovery Chemistry team at the San Diego site, focusing primarily on ligand and linker synthesis. The role applies organic synthesis expertise to support development and optimization of siRNA-based therapeutics. It is a laboratory-based position involving challenging synthetic problems, method development, and production of high-quality compounds for biological evaluation. The position is onsite five days a week in San Diego.

Requirements

PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
0–5 years of post-PhD research experience in organic synthesis.
Proficiency in analytical techniques, particularly NMR spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS.
Ability to independently develop synthetic strategies, solve complex chemistry problems, and guide compound design decisions.
Current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.

Nice To Haves

Experience with siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides.
Experience in medicinal chemistry.
Experience in conjugation chemistry, such as antibody–drug conjugate (ADC).

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and troubleshoot organic synthesis workflows.
Purify and characterize compounds, including ligands and linkers, using chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.
Coordinate internal and external compound production to support project timelines.
Monitor scientific literature and apply emerging findings to propose innovative, testable chemical approaches.
Maintain accurate and thorough records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
Follow safe laboratory practices.