Chemist II – Oligonucleotide Synthesis

About the role

The Chemist II will support the synthesis, purification, and analytical verification of oligonucleotides within the Consumer Products Services division. Working in a fast‑paced laboratory environment, the role involves handling automated synthesizers, chromatography systems, and mass‑spectrometry instruments while maintaining rigorous documentation.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in the synthesis of oligonucleotides using automated synthesizers, preparing reagents and monitoring reaction conditions.
• Perform purification of oligonucleotides via FPLC and HPLC, ensuring high‑quality output.
• Conduct LC‑MS assays to verify identity and purity of synthesized products.
• Maintain detailed, compliant records of experiments, procedures, and results.
• Support laboratory maintenance and operate general equipment such as pipettors, centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, and balances.
• Collaborate with senior chemists and the RNAi scale‑up chemistry team to validate synthesis scale‑up requirements.
• Review scientific literature to stay current on new oligonucleotide methods and provide technical solutions.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or related field with 1‑2 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 0‑1 year experience.
• Hands‑on experience with solid‑phase oligonucleotide synthesis is a plus.
• Basic understanding of chemistry, stoichiometry, and chemical synthesis.

Required skills

• Solid‑phase oligonucleotide synthesis.
• Analytical instrumentation: AKTA, Agilent LC‑MS, UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Waters QDA.
• Chromatography techniques (FPLC, HPLC).
• Mass‑spectrometry (LC‑MS).
• Laboratory techniques: pipetting, centrifugation, use of incubators, biosafety cabinets, balances.
• Software: instrument‑specific data capture, LIMS, electronic lab notebooks, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams/Sharepoint), Windows OS.