Sr. Scientist​/Staff Scientist: Nucleotide and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

Role Summary

As a Sr./Staff Scientist, you will be a technical leader responsible for the design, synthesis, characterization, and production of modified nucleotides and modified DNA to support enzymatic DNA synthesis and related technological development. This role involves high-level benchwork and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to build and de-risk next-generation DNA data writing and reading technologies.

• Reagent development for enzymatic DNA synthesis, including but not limited to production, purification and formulation of modified nucleotides.
• QC and stability study of various reagents and buffers using HPLC, LC-MS and other related instruments.
• Synthesis and characterize modified DNA for electrochemical based applications.
• Collaborate within DNA writing and reading teams to advance enzymatic DNA synthesis and related technologies for DNA data storage applications.
• Provide expert opinion on nucleic acid chemistry related subjects company wide.
• Present experimental plans, results, conclusions and next steps at group meeting project team meetings and company-wide meetings.

• PhD in Organic Chemistry with over five years’ experience in Nucleotide, Oligo nucleotide and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, or closely related field preferred.
• 4-6 years experience in multi-step organic synthesis of heterocycles, nucleoside, nucleotide, oligonucleotide, fluorescent dyes, and linkers/conjugates.
• Experience in synthesis and characterization of modified DNA for electrochemical based applications is desired.
• Experience in various purification techniques and instruments: silica gel flash chromatography, ion exchange chromatography (FPLC) and preparative HPLC.
• Experience with state-of-art analytical instruments: NMR, HPLC/UPLC and LC-MS analysis, UV-Vis and Fluorescence spectrometer, and gel electrophoresis.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, optimize and solve challenging research problems.
• Must be a creative, passionate, detail-oriented person with excellent analytical, verbal and written communications skills (Word, Power point, and Excel).
• Desire and ability to work in a small interdisciplinary team to develop new technologies at a rapid pace.

• Work is in typical office and laboratory environment.
• Work will be performed onsite in office and laboratory space located in South San Francisco.

The pay range for this role is: 160, USD per year (HQ)