Oligo Discovery Chemistry Principal Scientist

Business Introduction

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting‑edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success.

We’re uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

The successful candidate will help to establish pre‑clinical capabilities within GSK’s new oligo synthesis lab. Areas of focus are producing small molecules, lipids and linkers for ASOs, siRNA, SSO and RNA editors conjugates, discovery chemistry and method development. Your expertise will enable us to solve complex chemical challenges, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in oligonucleotide therapeutics.

• Establish pre‑clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities of ASOs, siRNA, SSO and RNA editors with small molecules, lipids, linkers, and other conjugates with multistep synthesis from milligram to gram scale.
• Perform hands‑on work, establish small molecule, lipid, linker and other synthetic workflows including designing structure‑activity relationship studies, implementing synthetic routes and drafting SOPs in support of next‑generation chemistry and method development.
• Serve as the small molecule and lipid SME for the team, representing conjugates in various cross‑matrix meetings.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for synthesis, processing and purification to ensure high‑quality, reproducible results.
• Work with the oligo analytical and conjugate chemistry teams to ensure accountability and excellence in small molecule and lipid conjugate synthesis.
• Collaborate and communicate across various teams to build robust study designs and workflows, or leverage internal resources to deliver on portfolio endpoints.

• PhD with 3+ years’ experience in chemistry, oligonucleotide synthesis, or chemical biology or related fields.
• 2+ years of industry experience in modern synthetic chemistry methods, particularly with small molecules, lipids, linkers, amidite synthesis, purification and analysis.
• Experience with HPLC purification techniques such as reverse phase, size exclusion, ionic chromatography potentially using Agilent, Waters or Cytiva AKTA Avant and Pure purification systems and LC/MS analytics.
• Experience in lipid, PEG‑lipid, sterol, dinucleotide and amidite synthetic chemistry, and biological familiarity of RNA therapeutics (e.g. ASO, siRNA, SSO, RNA editors, mRNA).
• Team‑focused with strong initiative and ability to troubleshoot challenges and implement novel solutions.
• Prior experience with scientific and professional mentorship and project leadership.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a team are required.
• Prior experience with oligonucleotide synthesis and nucleoside chemistry is desirable but not required.
• Demonstrable sense of urgency, flexibility, independence and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of integrity while balancing multiple priorities and responsibilities.
• Must be a committed team player prepared to work in and embrace a team‑based culture.

This role is full‑time on‑site at our Cambridge, MA offices.

Analytical Chemistry, Data Analysis, Design Thinking, Drug Design, Drug Discovery Process, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry

For candidates based in Cambridge, MA;
Waltham, MA;
Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary range for new hires is $121,275 to $202,125. The U.S. salary range takes into account work location, candidate skills, experience, education level and market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to…