Group Leader, Oligonucleotides Chemistry

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Group Leader, Nucleic Acid Chemistry to lead and expand a growing chemistry platform supporting the discovery and development of advanced nucleic acid-based therapeutics.

This individual will provide both strategic and hands-on scientific leadership across synthesis, purification, analytical characterization, and platform development activities. The role will be responsible for establishing scalable research workflows, evaluating emerging technologies and molecular formats, mentoring scientists, and supporting the progression of multiple discovery programs toward candidate selection.

The successful candidate will operate as both a technical expert and people leader, working closely with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to advance a diverse therapeutic pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Scientific Leadership & Platform Development
• Establish, optimize, and scale high-throughput synthesis workflows for a range of nucleic acid-based therapeutic modalities.
• Expand platform capabilities through the evaluation and implementation of emerging chemistries, molecular scaffolds, conjugation approaches, and next-generation therapeutic formats.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve operational procedures for synthesis, purification, processing, and analytical characterization.
• Lead complex technical troubleshooting activities and provide scientific direction across multiple projects.
• Contribute hands-on laboratory expertise when required to establish new technologies, workflows, and capabilities.

Project & Program Leadership

• Serve as the lead chemistry representative on multidisciplinary project teams.
• Provide strategic guidance on molecular design, synthesis strategy, manufacturability, optimization, and candidate selection.
• Support progression of discovery programs through data-driven decision making and technical leadership.
• Prepare scientific reports, presentations, and updates for leadership and key stakeholders.

Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of scientists and research associates.
• Guide junior team members in experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, and scientific interpretation.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative scientific culture.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with research teams across biology, pharmacology, analytical development, computational sciences, formulation, and delivery.
• Collaborate with scientists developing advanced molecular delivery systems and complex therapeutic constructs.
• Support seamless integration of chemistry and downstream biological evaluation workflows.

External Partnerships & Innovation

• Manage relationships with external research organizations and service providers.
• Oversee technology transfer, outsourced research activities, and quality governance.
• Contribute to innovation initiatives and expansion of the organization’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Support patent generation, technical disclosures, publications, and scientific communications.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant industry experience in synthetic chemistry, molecular therapeutics, biologics, nucleic acid technologies, or related therapeutic platforms.
• Strong hands-on expertise in synthesis, purification, analytical characterization, and process development.
• Experience with modern synthesis technologies, chromatography systems, and advanced analytical platforms.
• Demonstrated success establishing new scientific capabilities, technology platforms, or research functions.
• Experience managing external research partners and outsourced scientific activities.
• Proven record of scientific innovation demonstrated through publications, patents, product development achievements, regulatory submissions, or other technical contributions.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced research environment with evolving priorities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us(opens in new tab) directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.

Fraud Alert

Candidate safety is a top priority at Planet Pharma. The industry has seen an increase in people falsely representing themselves as recruiters to gather personal information from job seekers. For your safety, do not provide sensitive data to anyone you have not spoken with thoroughly, never provide banking information during the application process and always double check the email address of the Recruiter to ensure it’s from a official Planet Pharma domain (@planet-pharma.com, @planet-pharma.co.uk, and @ppgadvisorypartners.com) and not a domain with an alternative extension like .net, .org or .jobs.