Senior Scientist, Formulation and Delivery Sciences

Ionis•Carlsbad, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pioneering RNA-targeted medicines company with a history of discovering medical breakthroughs. They are seeking a Senior Scientist skilled in lipid nanoparticle formulation, targeted delivery, synthesis and characterization of conjugated targeting ligands, plasma protein corona analysis and control, RNA/LNP physicochemical characterization, and in vitro/in vivo performance assessment. The successful candidate will focus on elucidating and overcoming mechanistic nanoparticle delivery hurdles, working hands-on with receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticle screening, biochemical conjugation strategies, affinity and cellular uptake assays, and in vivo delivery studies. This role reports to the Director of Formulation and Delivery Sciences and will contribute to identifying and validating receptor-ligand strategies, establishing screening workflows, and optimizing targeted lipid nanoparticle systems for extrahepatic delivery. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, detail-oriented, and creative scientist who enjoys bench research, adheres to scientific direction and group goals, and is eager to join a multidisciplinary team at a leading nucleic acid therapeutics company.

Requirements

PhD in Biochemistry strongly preferred; Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutics, or a related field will also be considered.
Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience following completion of a PhD or postdoctoral training.
Demonstrated experience with lipid nanoparticles, RNA therapeutics, receptor-targeted delivery, ligand conjugation, or related nanoparticle systems.
Excellent bench laboratory skills with a strong interest in hands-on experimental work and day-to-day laboratory execution.
High attention to detail, strong experimental rigor, and consistent documentation habits.
Self-motivated, able to stay on track with assigned goals and scientific direction, values collaboration, and thrives as part of a close-knit, high-performing team.
Creative and thoughtful problem solver who is open to adopting AI-enabled tools to improve research efficiency.
Hands-on experience with biochemical, biophysical, and analytical methods used to characterize ligands, lipid nanoparticles, and targeted delivery performance.
Proven skills in experimental design, data interpretation, formal oral and written communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Experience with cell-based uptake or activity assays and supporting in vivo studies for targeted delivery platforms is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Design, produce, and characterize receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticle formulations for in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies.
Help identify and prioritize receptor-ligand pairs for targeted delivery applications based on biological rationale, feasibility, and experimental performance.
Develop and execute ligand conjugation workflows for lipid nanoparticles using biochemical and chemical conjugation approaches.
Establish and apply affinity, cellular uptake, and functional screening assays to evaluate targeted lipid nanoparticle constructs across ligand formats, densities, and formulations.
Generate and interpret data linking receptor binding, ligand density, cellular uptake, and in vivo delivery performance.
Partner with scientists across formulation, chemistry, biology, and analytical functions to refine targeted lipid nanoparticle design and advance company objectives.
When needed, assist other team projects with LNP production, in vivo testing, and downstream tissue collection and analysis.
Support routine in vivo studies and downstream tissue analysis, including coordination of sample collection and evaluation of distribution and activity readouts.
Thoroughly document results in notebooks and written reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams and at research meetings.
Contribute to publications, patent applications, and the continued development of Ionis targeted delivery capabilities.