Oligonucleotide Scientist II

Position: Oligonucleotide Scientist II
Location: 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Job Type: 4-Month Contract (Potential for Extension or Full-Time Conversion)
Pay Rate: $36.97 - $49.65 /hour (W2)
Benefits: Weekly Pay, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Work Schedule

• Work Model: 100% On-site (South San Francisco, CA)
• Schedule: Monday through Friday
• Shift: Standard 8-hour day shift

Interview Process

• One Round (30 Minutes)
• Local candidates are expected to attend the interview on-site.
• Candidates outside the immediate area may interview virtually.

About the Role
Our client is seeking a Scientist II to join the Nucleic Acid Design and Discovery (NADD) team within the Protein Sciences (PS) department. This role is ideal for a creative, collaborative, and self-driven scientist with hands-on experience in oligonucleotide synthesis and discovery.
You will contribute to the development of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across neuroscience, immunology, and oncology research. Experience with RNAi therapeutics, oligonucleotide delivery, or large molecule drug discovery is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research in oligonucleotide therapeutic drug discovery to support innovative treatment strategies.
• Perform hands-on oligonucleotide synthesis using automated synthesizers.
• Troubleshoot synthesis processes and support impurity profiling.
• Purify and characterize oligonucleotides using HPLC, mass spectrometry, and related analytical techniques.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including oligonucleotide synthesizers, HPLC systems, and desalting units.
• Review scientific literature and design nucleic acid chemistry strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional chemistry and biology teams to advance therapeutic candidates.
• Develop and optimize scaled-up synthesis methods for lead compounds.
• Coordinate material production for preclinical studies.
• Maintain high laboratory productivity to meet project timelines for in vitro and in vivo research.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Automated oligonucleotide synthesizers
  • Oligonucleotide synthesis and purification
  • HPLC analysis
  • Mass spectrometry characterization
• Experience with Client nucleic acid chemistry.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and laboratory skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience in RNAi therapeutic research and development.
• Knowledge of:
  • Nucleic acid therapeutic modalities
  • Modification chemistries
  • Sequence selection strategies
  • Mechanisms of action
• Experience with:
  • Oligonucleotide therapeutics
  • Large molecule drug discovery
  • Oligonucleotide delivery technologies
  • Bioconjugation

At Tailored Management, we help people get jobs and take pride in their work, so we better take pride in ours too. Not every company has the opportunity to meaningfully and directly impact individuals in a way that makes their lives tangibly better. To better support our employees, we offer a wide variety of benefit options to support you. We offer:

• Medical Coverage– HDHP, PPO, and Surest plan options
• Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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