Principal Scientist, Peptides

Overview

The Medicinal Chemistry group is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Scientist to join our dynamic team. This individual will be a key scientific leader responsible for driving the design, synthesis, and preclinical development of our innovative peptide-based therapeutic candidates. The successful candidate will leverage their deep expertise in peptides to advance programs from lead optimization through to the selection of a development candidate for our delivery systems to different tissues.

This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.  

Key Responsibilities

• Provide critical scientific and strategic leadership for peptide projects, focusing on the development of scalable synthetic routes, robust purification processes, comprehensive analytical characterization methods and safety derisking.
• Manage chemistry, conjugates, and oversee collaborations with external contract research organizations (CROs) and different companies on peptide screen and development.
• Work in close collaboration with our cross-functional teams including Biology, Pharmacology, toxicology, DMPK, and CMC to interpret data and collectively drive projects forward.
• Advance a therapeutic peptide/conjugate through preclinical development.
• Design, synthesis, and characterization of complex bioconjugates (preference for those who have worked on peptide oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs)).

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related discipline with a minimum of 6-8 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record of successfully advancing peptide/peptide conjugate therapeutic candidate through preclinical development, with significant contributions to CMC activities and IND-enabling studies.
• Demonstrated expertise in modern synthetic chemistry, with a strong background in peptide chemistry (e.g., solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), solution-phase synthesis, peptide modifications).
• Extensive hands-on experience with the purification (e.g., preparative RP-HPLC) and analytical characterization of peptides and related molecules using techniques such as LC-MS, high-resolution MS, and NMR.
• Experience managing projects and timelines, including overseeing the activities of external CROs/CMOs for process development, scale-up, and manufacturing of drug substance.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively to overcome complex synthetic and analytical challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment and mentor junior scientists.
• Preferred: Direct, hands-on experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of bioconjugates, with a strong preference for experience with peptide oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs).
  
  

About Alnylam: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and more prevalent diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach to treating diseases at their genetic source by “interfering” with mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Since our founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to turn scientific possibility into reality.

Our culture: Our people-first culture is guided by our core values: fiercely innovative, open culture, purposeful urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to people, and these values influence how we work and the business decisions we make. Thanks to feedback from our employees over the years, we’ve been fortunate to be named a top employer around the world. Alnylam is extremely proud to have been recognized as the #1 Large Employer by Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2023 for the third consecutive year, one of Science Magazine’s Top Biopharma Employers, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2024 by Newsweek, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UK – among others.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. We are dedicated to building an environment where employees can feel that they belong, can bring their authentic selves to work, and achieve to their full potential. By empowering employees to embrace their unique differences at work, our business grows stronger with advanced and original thinking, allowing us to bring groundbreaking medicines to patients. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics prohibited by law.