Senior Scientist, Chemistry

Job Title: 

Senior Scientist, Chemistry 

Location: 

San Diego, CA 

Position type: 

FLSA: 

Full time  

Exempt 

Department: 

Chemistry 

At Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients.  

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

The Opportunity 

We are seeking a seasoned medicinal chemist with a track record of accomplishments in peptide and small molecule therapeutics to join the chemistry team at Avidity Biosciences in San Diego, CA. A broad understanding of medicinal chemistry, a proven track record of innovation, and experience in driving discovery and lead optimization efforts are required. This lab-based position will lead efforts to discover and optimize vehicles for oligonucleotide delivery. The candidate is expected to be a strong team player, who enjoys scientific discovery with the ability to communicate and collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment. The candidate should be thoughtful, organized, detail-oriented, and curious, with a thirst for learning, innovation, and eagerness to solve challenging problems. 

What You Will Contribute 

• Lead discovery efforts to identify vehicles for oligonucleotide delivery. 
• Conceive innovative strategies and develop chemical approaches to affinity mature and stabilize delivery vehicles/lead molecules into effective clinical candidates.
• Lead from the lab efforts in high-throughput synthesis, downstream purification, and analysis of different classes of small molecules, peptides, and bioconjugates.
• Develop efficient and scalable chemical processes for lead molecules and oligonucleotide conjugates.
• Devise strategies and develop approaches for tissue specific extrahepatic oligonucleotide delivery.
• Lead project teams to develop sound strategies with key decision points to advance discovery projects through critical preclinical stage gates.

What We Seek 

• Ph.D. in organic chemistry with 3+ years of peptide or small molecule therapeutic discovery research experience in a pharmaceutical company.
• Hands-on experience in high-throughput solid- & solution- phase peptide or small molecule synthesis, purification, and analysis are required.
• Experience with peptide or small molecule screening.
• Experience utilizing structure guided approaches to optimize lead molecules.
• A proven track record of accomplishments in peptide or small molecule research in the form of patents and publications.
• Proven ability to conduct self-directed research, and to work effectively in a dynamic team environment with diverse views.
• Hands-on experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics is a plus.
• Experience in process and analytical development is a plus.
• Excellent critical thinking and scientific skills and a demonstrated ability to interpret and clearly communicate complex data.

• The base salary range for this role is $147,000 - $165,000. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors.
• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits which includes the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options and RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off.
• A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.

Avidity Biosciences 

10578 Science Center Dr. Suite 125 

San Diego, CA 

92121 

O: 858-401-7900 

F: 858-401-7901