Scientist III, Discovery Chemistry (Peptide Synthesis)
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Before you apply
Salary$120k – $130k
LocationSan Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityMid
ExperienceUp to 2 yrs
DepartmentDiscovery Chemistry
Company size1,001–5,000 people
PostedOct 15, 2026 · 3w ago
Verified live3d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
PhD (0-2 years of experience) in chemistry or a related field
Masters degree (5+ years of experience) in chemistry or a related field
Hands-on experience operating automated peptide synthesizers
Demonstrated experience in design, synthesis, and characterization of macrocyclic and/or bicyclic peptides
Proficiency with a wide range of analytical techniques, especially HPLC & LCMS
Strong scientific problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently design and troubleshoot experiments
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present to cross-functional teams
Experience with high throughput screening technologies (phage display, mRNA display, DEL, OBOC, etc.)
Familiar with biophysical assays for characterization of biomolecular interactions
Experience applying SAR principles to peptides for hit to lead optimization
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located
Skills
peptide synthesizers
HPLC
LCMS
mass spectrometry
biophysical assays
phage display
mRNA display
DEL
OBOC
Benefits
Health insurance
About the company
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.
Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.
The Position
Arrowhead is seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our discovery chemistry team at its San Diego site. The successful candidate will primarily focus on peptide synthesis and analysis. As a discovery chemist, you will play a pivotal role in the development and optimization of siRNA-based therapeutics by leveraging your expertise in peptide chemistry.
This role is onsite 5 days a week in San Diego.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
•
Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) workflows using both automated and manual techniques
•
Purify and analyze peptides using chromatography and mass spectrometry
•
Analyze and integrate chemical, biological, and pharmacokinetic data to establish SAR and guide compound design
•
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance delivery platform development
Requirements
•
PhD (0-2 years of experience) or masters degree (5+ years of experience) in chemistry or a related field
•
Hands-on experience operating automated peptide synthesizers
•
Demonstrated experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of macrocyclic and/or bicyclic peptides, including the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids and backbone modifications
•
Proficiency with a wide range of analytical techniques, especially HPLC & LCMS
•
Strong scientific problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently design and troubleshoot experiments.
•
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present scientific data, interpretations, and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
Preferred
•
Experience with high throughput screening technologies (phage display, mRNA display, DEL, OBOC etc.)
•
Familiar with biophysical assays for characterization of biomolecular interactions
•
Experience applying structure activity relationship (SAR) principles to peptides for hit to lead optimization
California pay range
$120,000—$130,000 USD
Benefits
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.
Legal
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.
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