Associate Scientist II RNA Synthesis

Overview

Alnylam is the world's leading RNA interference (RNAi) company.

Founded in 2002, Alnylam was built upon a bold vision of turning scientific possibility into reality by harnessing the power of RNAi for human health as an innovative new class of medicines. We are a growing biopharmaceutical company with two approved medicines and a robust pipeline of investigational medicines focused in four strategic therapeutic areas: genetic medicines, cardio-metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and central nervous system (CNS) and ocular diseases, including several in late-stage development.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Alnylam employs over 1,500 people in 19 countries and is rapidly growing globally, with additional offices in Norton, Mass., Maidenhead, U.K., Zug, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Tokyo, Japan. Alnylam is proud to have been recognized as one of The Boston Globe's Top Places to Work five years in a row (2015-2019), a Great Place to Work in the U.K. and Switzerland in 2020 and Science Magazine's #1 Top Employer in 2019. Please visit www.alnylam.com for more information.

We are looking for a highly motivated Associate Scientist II to join our RNA Synthesis group and support RNAi-based research and drug discovery. The successful candidate will help to synthesize and purify oligonucleotides for research studies across the department and engage in process improvement activities within RNA synthesis. Additionally, they will evaluate new chemical modifications for their use in the RNAi pathway via synthesis, purification, and characterization of synthetic oligonucleotides.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Design, synthesis, purification, and analysis of chemically modified oligonucleotides
• Improve upon and/or develop new synthetic methods and processes to expand the current capabilities.
• Utilize analytical instrumentation such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, and/or LC-MS for the analysis of both crude and purified synthetic products. Effectively troubleshoot synthetic/process issues and independently find solutions.
• Improve upon and/or develop new methods and automation for the downstream processing of synthetic oligonucleotides and their subsequent analysis/purification and annealing into siRNA duplexes.
• Analyze, interpret, and organize analytical data to present to team members.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• 0-4 years of work experience in an industrial or academic lab setting
• Experience with solid-phase synthesis (oligonucleotides, peptides, etc) is preferred but a background in organic chemistry is sufficient.
• Experience with instrumentation such as analytical and prep HPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis spectrometry, etc. is required.
• Good understanding of chromatography and experience in developing methods (IEX/RP HPLC, LC-MS) is a plus.
• Ability to function within a highly interdisciplinary environment is a must.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good organization skills, the ability to multitask, and the ability to work within a team and/or independently are required.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment.