Discovery Chemistry
Senior Scientist I, Discovery Chemistry (Synthetic Chemistry)
Office Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.
Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.
The Position
Arrowhead is seeking a hands-on synthetic chemist to support the discovery and development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. The successful candidate is responsible primarily for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel molecular structures to support extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery, working closely with colleagues across chemistry, DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics), biology, analytical sciences, and formulation to support multidisciplinary discovery programs. This is a laboratory-focused position for a scientist who enjoys solving challenging synthetic problems, developing reliable methods, and delivering high-quality compounds for biological evaluation.
This position is posted at the Senior Scientist I level and may also be considered at the Scientist III level, depending on experience.
Responsibilities
- Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize novel compounds and focused analog series.
- Develop and troubleshoot multistep synthetic routes, purification methods, and characterization workflows.
- Coordinate internal and external production of compounds to support project timelines.
- Work with analytical and oligonucleotide chemistry teams to review compound identity, purity, concentration, and suitability for biological testing.
- Coordinate compound availability and timing with DMPK and in vivo pharmacology teams.
- Integrate chemical, analytical, formulation, and pharmacokinetic data to guide subsequent compound designs and recommend appropriate supporting studies.
- Monitor the scientific literature and use emerging findings to propose novel, creative, and testable chemical approaches.
Requirements
- PhD. in Chemistry or a related discipline.
- 3+ years of pharmaceutical industry or relevant postdoctoral experience.
- Strong record of hands-on synthetic chemistry and experimental problem-solving.
- Demonstrated ability to independently define synthetic strategy, solve complex chemistry problems, and guide compound-design decisions.
- Ability to interpret cross-functional data and use the results to propose new compounds and supporting experiments.
- Experience leading chemistry activities, mentoring colleagues, or coordinating work across internal and external teams.
Preferred
- Experience with siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, or other nucleic acid modalities.
- Experience designing and synthesizing multifunctional molecules, focused libraries, or compounds requiring orthogonal functional-group strategies.
- Experience working on plasma PK (pharmacokinetic) extension.
- Experience working with highly polar, charged, amphiphilic, or otherwise challenging compounds.
- Familiarity with one or more adjacent areas, including DMPK or pharmacokinetics, formulation or pharmaceutics, drug delivery, supramolecular or colloidal chemistry, lipid or nanoparticle systems, bioconjugation, or bioanalytical chemistry.
- Experience working with external chemistry vendors, contract research organizations (CROs), suppliers, or contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).
- Experience supporting intellectual property, technical transfer, or progression of discovery compounds.
Scientist III alternative: This position may also be considered at the Scientist III level. At that level, the emphasis is on a strong record of hands-on synthetic chemistry and experimental problem-solving, with the ability to independently execute and optimize synthetic routes given guidance on broader project objectives.
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.