Scientist I/II, Modality Engineering

Primary Responsibilities • Select and manage CROs for oligonucleotide synthesis and bioconjugation, including scope, vendor guidance, data review, quality, and delivery timelines

• Design and oversee oligonucleotide conjugates using peptides, antibodies, or ligands; optimize conjugation chemistry, linkers, purification, and analytical characterization

• Build or outsource methods to confirm identity and assess purity using HPLC, LC-MS, SDS-PAGE, spectroscopy, and other fit-for-purpose assays

• Engineer AAV capsids, regulatory elements, and transgene cassettes; conduct cloning, plasmid preparation, sequencing, and research-grade vector production

• Design and screen sequence or vector/capsid with NGS readouts, applying state-of-the-art analytical methods to improve potency, selectivity, and production yield

• Partner with In Vitro Pharmacology, In Vivo Physiology, Analytical DMPK, and CMC to define screening cascades, interpret data, assess developability and manufacturability, select leads, and support go/no-go decisions

• Support molecule advancement through process development and formulation while identifying technical risks and recommending practical experiments or external capabilities

• Write SOPs, maintain and troubleshoot instruments, document work in the ELN for intellectual property and regulatory filings, present results, and monitor platform advances

Required Skills and Qualifications • PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field with 0–3 years of postdoctoral or industry experience; or MS with 5+ years of industry experience

• Hands-on experience synthesizing, purifying, and characterizing research-scale ASOs, siRNAs, or bioconjugates using automated solid-phase synthesis, chromatography, and mass spectrometry

• Working knowledge of ASO/siRNA therapeutic chemistry, backbone and sugar modifications, class-related toxicity, various delivery approaches

• Strong research productivity demonstrated through publications, patent filings, or comparable technical contributions

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a collaborative, fast-paced team

• Ability to regularly work onsite at our HQ in New York City

Preferred Skills and Qualifications • Industry experience in a small, fast-paced biotech is highly preferred

• Working knowledge of AAV biology and vector design

• Hands-on experience in AAV capsid engineering, pooled library design, and NGS data analysis

• Antibody- or peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC/POC) design or linker discovery