Analytical Chemist

Reports To: Vice President, Chemistry

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Job Summary

Switch Therapeutics is seeking a dynamic scientist who has extensive experience in the analysis of oligonucleotides to support pipeline production and characterization of oligonucleotides. The successful candidate will be responsible for characterizing siRNA and other nucleic acid structural forms with multiple analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR MS). The individual will focus on developing and executing LC-MS-based assays to support lead-finding/optimization efforts. In addition, the candidate will function as part of a multi-disciplinary project team that will coordinate with scientists in cross functional areas to advance the lead molecules.

In addition, this scientist will collaborate with a cross-functional team of experts to focus on the development and optimization of CASi candidates, as well as supervising and supporting junior team members.

This is a full-time position reporting to the Vice President of our Chemistry team. The position requires on location work in our South San Francisco office.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $100,000 and $140,000 per year, depending on the level of the selected candidate. Base pay offered may also vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity in the Company, a discretionary annual bonus, in addition to a full range of healthcare, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to fully characterize the oligonucleotide drug substance and drug product materials.
• Demonstrate proficiency with analytical characterization techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, UV/Fluorescence, and electrophoresis)
• Ability to independently conceive, develop, execute, and then implement novel/advanced scientific techniques. Holistic thinker for analytical packages.
• Report at project team meetings, write analytical development reports, provide recommendations to management.
• Manage and support junior team members.
• Collaborate with internal and external manufacturing partners to develop robust analytical methods.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams including Biology (in vitro and in vivo pharmacology), and Chemistry (production, analytical sciences, and platform chemistry groups) – Present results through team meetings and recommendations to management.
• Deliver innovative solutions using a diversity of thought and experiences.
• Ensure the quality of each delivered entity.
• Maintain lab notebooks, report data with analysis of results in presentations and/or written reports to the scientific team.

Required Qualifications

• The level of this position will depend on education and experience qualifications:
  • Scientist – PhD in analytical, organic chemistry or a related discipline with minimum of 4 years of direct experience in oligonucleotide analysis and formulation
  • Scientist – PhD in analytical, organic chemistry or a related discipline with minimum of 1 year of direct experience in oligonucleotide analysis and formulation
  • Principal Research Associate – MS in analytical, organic chemistry or a related discipline with minimum of 8 years of direct experience in oligonucleotide analysis and formulation
• Experience in the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry is preferred, with direct experience with (semi)automated instruments.
• Strong method development skills including experience with liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques.
• Proficiency with Chromeleon, Xcalibur and Biopharma Finder is preferred.
• Experience with managing project teams in a biotechnology organization is preferred.
• A history of authoring publications and/or study reports.
• A deep commitment to working as part of teams to deliver breakthrough medicines.
• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

About Switch

Switch Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company that is developing RNAi therapies stemming from transformative technologies invented at Caltech, City of Hope, and Harvard Medical School.

The company’s conditionally activated siRNA (CASi) platform integrates RNA nanotechnology with RNA medicinal chemistry to create siRNA pro-drugs that can activate or suppress their own drug activities based on the presence or absence of disease indicating RNA markers in mammalian cells. This gives CASi based drugs the ability to target specific cells responsible for disease while sparing healthy cells from drug activity.

Since its founding in Q3 2020, Switch has made significant progress in optimizing its technology for therapeutic applications and has generated highly compelling in vivo validation data demonstrating distribution, potency, and duration of effect that support development for important disease indications.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to careers@switchthera.com.