POSITION DESCRIPTION: Scientist, Chemistry
REPORTS TO: Manager, Process Development and Chemistry

The Scientist, Chemistry position is responsible for developing, updating and validating synthetic, purification and/or analytical procedures to support Chemistry and Process Development projects in the area of nucleic acid chemistry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Development of project study plans and protocols, interim and final development reports, and SOPs, exercising a significant degree of scientific independence
• Presentation of study designs and final results
• Develop/update and validate scalable synthetic and/or purification procedures (including prep HPLC), and/or analytical methods (HPLC; LC/MS; quantitative UV/Vis; and 1H, 13C, 31P NMR) for key starting materials; unnatural nucleosides and nucleotides; phosphoramidites; and standard (unlabeled) and dyelabeled phosphodiester oligonucleotides (oligos)
• Assist in the analysis of finished lots of phosphoramidites, single oligos, and oligo mixes
• Assist in the manufacturing of nucleosides, nucleotides, and phosphoramidites, as needed
• Detailed record keeping of experimental strategy and all experiments in a laboratory notebook or on production records as required (analytical, synthesis and/or purification procedures, and corresponding analytical data)
• Train coworkers on newly developed or updated SOPs
• Train and guide less experienced coworkers on laboratory equipment and procedures, and in safety
• Maintain supplies of commonly used chemicals and materials needed for chemistry group
• Maintain good awareness of advances in nucleic acid chemistry
• Other duties as required

• BS/BA or MS (with 3 years relevant post-graduate experience) or PhD in analytical or organic chemistry, chemical biology, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Experience with nucleic acid chemistry and analysis is strongly preferred.
• Experience with equipment and instrumentation used in the synthetic organic and/or analytical chemistry laboratories
• Organic chemistry experience working with up to the 5L scale is a plus
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a plus
• High degree of attention to detail in the laboratory
• Capable of independent problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Must be able to travel locally (within 20 miles) on regular basis and out-of-area infrequently.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills