Platform Chemist - Encoded Technologies
Location: Cambridge, MA
Pay Range: $45.00-$50.50/hour
Employment Type: W2 Contract
Alphanumeric is hiring a Platform Chemist to work onsite in Cambridge, MA with our pharmaceutical client of more than 20 years, an organization committed to improving lives through medical and pharmaceutical advancements.
Important Employment Information
Candidates must be eligible to work directly on Alphanumeric's W2 without requiring employment sponsorship now or in the future.
We are not accepting applications or candidate submissions from third-party agencies, staffing firms, or vendors for this position.
Position Overview
We are seeking a PhD-level organic chemist to join the Encoded Technologies team. This is a hands-on, laboratory-based role focused primarily on supporting the on-DNA binder confirmation (ODBC) platform and developing and optimizing DNA-compatible chemistry used in DNA-encoded library (DEL) applications.
The successful candidate will bring strong practical organic chemistry skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work effectively within a highly collaborative research environment. This individual should be comfortable independently planning and executing laboratory work, troubleshooting chemistry, interpreting results, and communicating findings to support data-driven decisions.
What You'll be Doing
- Synthesize on-DNA compounds in support of on-DNA binder confirmation (ODBC) projects within established timelines.
- Develop, evaluate, and optimize DNA-compatible chemical reactions for use in the production of DNA-encoded libraries.
- Plan and execute laboratory experiments while maintaining high standards for scientific quality, integrity, documentation, and safety.
- Analyze experimental results, troubleshoot chemistry challenges, and identify opportunities for optimization.
- Clearly communicate experimental findings and key results to project teams to enable data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborate effectively with scientists and cross-functional partners in both laboratory and office environments.
- Manage multiple experimental priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail and quality.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Hands-on, laboratory-based chemistry research experience.
- Strong foundation in organic chemistry and chemical synthesis.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with on-DNA chemistry and/or DNA-encoded library (DEL) technologies.
- Experience developing or optimizing chemical reactions.
- Strong practical laboratory and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to critically evaluate experimental results and troubleshoot unexpected outcomes.
- Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Self-motivated and able to independently plan and execute laboratory work.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary scientific environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Compensation
$45.00-$50.50/hour W2, depending on experience and qualifications.
This opportunity is well suited for a hands-on scientist who enjoys solving challenging chemistry problems and wants to contribute to innovative drug discovery research involving DNA-encoded technologies.