A Research and Development Chemist studies chemical compounds and uses research to support the development of products, including manufactured products, or processes, including industrial processes.
Autonomous Therapeutics (Autonomous) is a venture-backed biotech founded in 2017 by scientists from Harvard Medical School and UCSF. Autonomous develops precision nucleic acid medicines for currently incurable viruses and metastatic cancers. Our technology leverages synthetic biology and nucleic acid chemistry to achieve a simple goal: target-activated (precision) medicines that only activate in diseased cells. Imagine a chemotherapy that detects your cancer cells but actively avoids your healthy cells. You would join a team of 25 PhD chemists, synthetic biologists, cell biologists, and in vivo biologists in our 20,000 square foot R&D facility outside Washington, D.C.
The Position:
Delivery beyond the liver is a fundamental challenge for nucleic acid medicines. We are seeking an exceptional synthetic chemist to help develop novel oligonucleotide medicines that achieve efficient extrahepatic delivery. This is a high-impact role with scientific ownership and independence. You will design, synthesize, and characterize novel oligonucleotide medicines as well as delivery-enabling conjugations and chemistries. You will also work closely with our in-house formulation, cell biology, immunology, and in vivo biology teams to translate your promising chemistries into in vivo-tested therapeutic candidates. Depending on your experience, you will have the chance to lead independent efforts, mentor junior scientists, and build out our growing synthetic chemistry and bioconjugation team. This role reports directly to the Head of Chemistry and the CSO.
About You:
You have a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Materials Science, or a related discipline, along with strong publications showing a record of scientific achievement. Exceptional candidates may come from oligonucleotide chemistry or other synthetic chemistry fields— including peptide chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, polymer chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or bioconjugation chemistry. Direct oligonucleotide synthesis experience is not required. We are looking for candidates with deep expertise in ONE or more of the following: - Solid-Phase Synthesis & Characterization Experience with the solid-phase synthesis, deprotection, purification, and characterization of RNA or DNA oligonucleotides, including siRNAs, ASOs, guide RNAs, aptamers, or related modalities. Expertise in backbone, sugar, base, terminal, or other oligonucleotide modifications is highly valued. Experience with enzymatic or chemoenzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis, ligation, or assembly is also valued, particularly for producing longer or challenging RNA or DNA constructs. Substantial experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis or related platforms is also highly relevant. - Delivery & Bioconjugation Experience designing, synthesizing, and optimizing bioconjugates through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to improve delivery, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics (PK), cellular uptake, stability, or in vivo potency. Relevant conjugates may incorporate glycans, peptides, antibodies, small molecules, lipids, polymers, or other targeting and delivery moieties. Experience with GalNAc or other established delivery platforms is valued. - Functionalization & Conjugation Chemistry Experience developing solid-support, solution-phase, or post-synthetic methods to attach ligands, linkers, or payloads to oligonucleotides, antibodies, small molecules, or other therapeutic modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Relevant methods may include modified CPGs, phosphoramidites, activated esters, click chemistry, amine- or thiol-reactive handles, site-selective functionalization, orthogonal protecting groups, and other bioorthogonal approaches. - Analytical Chemistry Experience with LC-MS, HPLC, anion-exchange chromatography (AEX), reversed-phase chromatography, SEC, PAGE, or related methods to assess candidate purity, identity, yield, and product quality. Nice to Have (Not Required): Scale-Up Chemistry . Experience supporting synthetic chemistry scale-up, process development, technology transfer, CDMO management, and cGMP manufacturing. Inhaled Formulation. Experience with formulation or particle engineering approaches relevant to nucleic acid therapeutics, including spray drying, lyophilization, dry-powder inhalation, or controlled release. Biology. Experience working across chemistry and biology teams to connect chemical design to cellular or in vivo activity and use biological results to guide subsequent chemical design. Therapeutic Testing. Experience testing therapeutic candidates using cell-based assays or in vivo for potency, biodistribution, PK, safety, or efficacy.
Why Join Us:
Meaningful Mission. Join a team developing potential life-saving medicines for infectious diseases and metastatic cancers in a fast-paced, well-funded startup environment. Chemistry to Medicine. Work closely with in-house formulation, immunology, cell biology, and in vivo teams to translate chemical designs into in vivo-tested therapeutic candidates. Compensation & Benefits. Competitive salary, equity, health, dental, and vision coverage. We also provide 401(k) plans--with employer matching--and paid time off.
Additional Info:
Work Authorization :
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
Merit-Based :
Autonomous is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$100,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Vision insurance
