Scientist III, Discovery Chemistry (Synthetic Chemistry)
Read straight from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals's careers page, verified 13h ago.Seekless can tailor your résumé to it.
Seekless can write your résumé for this posting first.
Before you apply
Salary$115k – $130k
LocationSan Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityMid
ExperienceUp to 5 yrs
DepartmentDiscovery Chemistry
Company size1,001–5,000 people
PostedOct 30, 2026 · 4d ago
Verified live13h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry
0–5 years of post-PhD research experience in organic synthesis
Proficiency in analytical techniques, particularly NMR spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS
demonstrated ability to independently develop synthetic strategies, solve complex chemistry problems, and guide compound design decisions
Experience with siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides
Experience in medicinal chemistry
Experience in conjugation chemistry, such as antibody–drug conjugate (ADC)
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located
Benefits
Health insurance
401(k)
Unlimited PTO
Remote stipend
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 III to join our Discovery Chemistry team at our San Diego site, with a primary focus on ligand and linker synthesis. In this role, you will apply your expertise in organic synthesis to support the development and optimization of siRNA-based therapeutics. This laboratory-based position is ideal for a scientist who enjoys solving challenging synthetic problems, developing reliable methods, and delivering high-quality compounds for biological evaluation.
This role is onsite 5 days a week in San Diego.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
•
Design, execute, and troubleshoot organic synthesis workflows.
•
Purify and characterize compounds, including ligands and linkers, using chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.
•
Coordinate internal and external compound production to support project timelines.
•
Monitor scientific literature and apply emerging findings to propose innovative, testable chemical approaches.
•
Maintain accurate and thorough records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
•
Follow safe laboratory practices.
Requirements
•
PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry
•
0–5 years of post-PhD research experience in organic synthesis.
•
Proficiency in analytical techniques, particularly NMR spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS.
•
Demonstrated ability to independently develop synthetic strategies, solve complex chemistry problems, and guide compound design decisions.
Preferred
•
Experience with siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides.
•
Experience in medicinal chemistry.
•
Experience in conjugation chemistry, such as antibody–drug conjugate (ADC).
Benefits
California pay range
$115,000—$130,000 USD
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.
California Applicant Privacy Policy