Scientist / Senior Scientist, Chemistry

Job Title:

Scientist / 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 therapeutics to join the chemistry team at Avidity Biosciences in San Diego CA. A broad understanding of peptide chemistry, proven track record of innovation, and experience in driving discovery and lead optimization efforts are required. This hands-on position will contribute to discover efforts and lead efforts in design, synthesis, and analysis of peptide and peptide-oligo conjugates. 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.
• Apply medicinal chemistry principles to conceive innovative strategies and develop chemical processes to mature peptides into effective clinical candidates.
• Develop efficient chemical approaches to synthesize non-canonical amino acids, peptides, multi-cyclic peptides, and peptidomimetics.
• Lead efforts in high-throughput synthesis, downstream purification, and analytical characterization of different classes of peptides, peptidomimetics, and bioconjugates.
• Serves as an in-house peptide chemistry expert and advise project teams.
• 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

• Title depending on experience. Sr. Scientist level: PhD in organic chemistry with 6+ years of peptide therapeutic discovery research experience in a pharmaceutical company (or an MS/BS degree with additional experience). Scientist level: PhD in organic chemistry with 2+ years of peptide therapeutic discovery research experience (or an MS/BS degree with additional experience).
• Hands-on experience in solid- & solution- phase peptide synthesis, purification, and analysis of peptides is required.
• Experience in asymmetric synthesis of small molecules and non-natural amino acids.
• Experience with high through-put screening to identify peptide hits.
• Experience utilizing computational software for peptide design and optimization.
• A proven track record of accomplishments in peptide 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.
• Experience in process and analytical development of peptides and peptide-conjugates 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 $129,000 - $165,000. The final compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience, skillset, internal equity, and market factors.
• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits, including the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options, RSUs, and a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes medical, dental, vision, and LTD coverage and four weeks of time off.
• A commitment to learning and development, including a variety of internal programming 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