Senior or Principal Scientist: Oligonucleotide Analytical Chemistry

About Us

Founded in 2017 by scientists from Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Autonomous Therapeutics is developing first-in-class nucleic acid medicines across infectious disease and oncology indications.

Our platform combines synthetic biology and nucleic acid chemistry to achieve a simple goal: target-activated medicines that only activate in diseased cells. Think about a chemotherapy that spares your healthy cells.

You would join a team of 25 in-house PhD scientists and engineers across synthetic biology, synthetic chemistry, formulation, in vivo biology, and AI in our 20,000 sq ft R&D facility outside Washington, D.C.

The Role:

We are looking for an exceptional and rigorous analytical chemist to develop novel methods to probe the identity, purity, and in vivo biodistribution of our first-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates.

You will play a central role in advancing next-generation medicines through preclinical development.

Your role will span both analytical and bioanalytical method development, with a particular focus on LC-MS and HPLC methods for oligonucleotide identity, purity, and quality assessments, as well as candidate pharmacokinetics (PK) and tissue biodistribution.

You will report directly to the CSO.

About You:

You have a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or a related field and 5+ years of hands-on expertise (PhD work included) in ONE or more of:

Oligonucleotide Analytical Chemistry:

Development and application of analytical methods for RNA or DNA oligonucleotides (e.g. siRNA, ASOs), including methods for product characterization, purity, and quality.

Chromatographic Analyses:

Hands-on experience developing and applying HPLC or other chromatographic methods for oligonucleotides and conjugates, including ion-exchange, reversed-phase, SEC, or related approaches to enable oligonucleotide purity assessments, impurity profiling, and stability testing.

LC-MS Bioanalysis for PK / Biodistribution:

Hands-on experience developing and applying LC-MS-based quantitative workflows to detect and quantify oligonucleotides and related analytes in biological matrices such as plasma, BALF, liver, lung, or other tissues to support in vivo PK and biodistribution studies.

Nice to Have (But Not Required):

• Chemical synthesis experience (e.g. solid-phase synthesis) with oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates—including peptide, lipid, polymer, or carbohydrate constructs
• Experience with sample preparation workflows for biological matrices, including tissue homogenization, extraction, cleanup, or related bioanalytical methods
• Experience supporting external CDMOs, CROs, or analytical method transfer for IND-enabling studies

Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics is strongly preferred, but excellent candidates from adjacent analytical chemistry fields willing to rapidly learn oligonucleotide chemistry are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Us:

Impact:

Play a key role in developing first-in-class medicines for deadly cancers and infectious diseases.

Compensation

Highly competitive salary and equity packages.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance | 401(k) with matching | PTO

New Skills:

Opportunity to also learn therapeutic development and robotics / AI.

Culture

Work alongside a highly collaborative team of scientists and engineers in a fast-paced biotech startup to help build the next generation of precision medicines.

Hiring Info:

• Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Merit-Based: Autonomous Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person