Director to Executive Director of Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Alloy Therapeutics, a biotechnology ecosystem company, empowers the global scientific community to develop better medicines by democratizing access to pre‑competitive tools, technologies, services, and company creation capabilities that are foundational for discovering and developing therapeutic biologics. The company facilitates affordable, non‑exclusive access to the entire drug discovery community, from academic scientists to biotechnology and biopharma firms. Alloy reinvests 100 % of its revenue in innovation and access to innovation.
The Team
The Alloy Genetic Medicines group is innovating a novel RNA‑based drug discovery platform, “AntiClastic”, spanning antisense therapeutics to immunomodulating therapeutics. Launched in 2023, the platform was built on intellectual property that implements a novel spatial conformation of oligonucleotides. The team works closely with external partners to discover and develop AntiClastic RNA medicines.
The Role
The Director to Executive Director of Nucleic Acid Chemistry will lead a team dedicated to advancing oligonucleotide‑based therapeutics from discovery through GMP manufacturing. This leader will oversee process development and scale‑up of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for both research‑use‑only (RUO) and GMP‑compliant applications. The ideal candidate combines deep scientific expertise in oligonucleotide chemistry with strong leadership and mentorship abilities, driving innovation across design, process development, and manufacturing.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of chemists and engineers focused on oligonucleotide process innovation and scale‑up
- Foster a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Serve as a teacher and mentor to staff, providing technical and career guidance to grow organizational expertise
Process Development & Manufacturing
- Direct the design, development, and optimization of scalable synthesis, purification, and formulation processes for ASOs, siRNAs, and sgRNAs
- Oversee the transition of processes from research scale to GMP production, ensuring robustness, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance
- Implement Quality by Design (QbD) principles to establish a strong foundation for process control, consistency, and risk management
- Ensure stringent raw material and finished product quality control, aligning with internal standards and regulatory expectations
Oligonucleotide Design & Chemical Innovation
- Lead the design of novel oligonucleotides, leveraging deep understanding of sequence optimization, 2ʼ‑modifications, and backbone chemistry to enhance potency, durability, and safety
- Drive manufacturing innovation, incorporating advanced synthesis methods, automation, and analytical technologies
- Oversee bioconjugation strategies, linking oligonucleotides to small molecule targeting ligands, peptides, or protein binding domains to expand therapeutic applications
- Stay current with emerging trends in nucleic acid chemistry and evaluate new technologies for integration into internal platforms
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner with discovery, analytical, and CMC teams to ensure seamless handoff of processes from bench research through clinical manufacturing
- Collaborate with regulatory, quality, and manufacturing functions to support IND and clinical‑stage programs
- Build and manage external partnerships with CDMOs, suppliers, and academic collaborators to accelerate innovation and scale‑up activities
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline with 10+ years of industry experience in oligonucleotide chemistry
- At least 5 years of leadership experience managing teams in process development and/or manufacturing environments
- Proven track record in the design, synthesis, and scale‑up of antisense, siRNA, and sgRNA molecules
- Expertise in 2ʼ‑modifications, backbone chemistries, and novel oligonucleotide design approaches
- Demonstrated experience with bioconjugations to small molecules or proteins
- Strong understanding of Quality by Design (QbD) and analytical control strategies
- Preferred: Experience advancing oligonucleotide candidates from bench research through GMP and into clinical trials
- Exceptional communication, mentorship, and team leadership skills, with a collaborative and hands‑on management style
Taking Care of Our People
Compensation
- Competitive base and equity compensation commensurate with level of experience and independence
- 401(k) company match
Health & Family
- Generous personal and family medical, dental and vision benefits with 100 % of premiums and deductibles covered
- Company‑paid disability (STD, LTD) and life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Family planning support up to $45,000 (e.g., IVF/PGT, adoption, surrogacy, egg retrieval)
Unique Perks
- Unlimited PTO and flexible schedules
- Annual stipend for continuing education with commitment to your career through individualized professional development plan
- Wellness and extensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including resources for mental wellness
Pay Transparency
Estimated annual base salary range is $172,800 - $216,000, with the final offer based on experience, skills, and alignment with our needs. Additionally, this role is eligible for equity compensation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Alloy Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr