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Oligonucleotide Scientist at South SFO, CA

APN Software Services, IncSouth San Francisco, CA🇺🇸United StatesPosted 8 Sept 2026

Quick Overview

Salary
$45 - $50/hr
Seniority
Mid Senior
Work mode
On Site
Location
South San Francisco, CA, United States
Posted
Yesterday
Inventory ManagementWorkday

Job Description

Oligonucleotide Scientist

Location; South SFO , CA
Duration: 12 months
Pay rate: $45-$50 on W2
 
Notes from INtake call:
Role Overview and Requirements:
The client introduced the open scientist role within their group, which focuses on oligonucleotide synthesis—specifically DNA and RNA—while excluding long-chain synthesis.
The position requires solid-phase synthesis experience, purification, and characterization skills, as the team cannot provide training for these core tasks.
Candidates must have relevant, hands-on experience, and Entry Level Candidates are not suitable for this position.
Recruiters were advised to source candidates with prior experience from companies such as Thermo Fisher, L and other contract research organizations.

Work Environment and Schedule:
The role is described as a research-based position rather than a contract research organization environment, involving the design, synthesis, analysis, and optimization of oligonucleotides.
The team consists of four to five people, and the culture is flexible regarding daily start and end times, provided staff complete their eight-hour workday.
Micromanagement is not practiced, and overtime is not encouraged as the team prioritizes work-life balance.

Commitment and Qualification Preferences:
The client emphasized the need for a candidate committed to staying for at least one to one and a half years, noting that while the initial contract is six months, there is hope for an extension. They advised against submitting overqualified candidates, such as those with PhDs and 10 to 15 years of experience, as these individuals often leave the bench role early, which is viewed as a red flag.
However, the team does not have a strict preference regarding the level of degree, including PhDs or Associate degrees, provided the candidate possesses the required synthesis knowledge.

Relocation and On-site Policy:
The position requires the contractor to be on-site. While the company does not assist with relocation, they are open to considering candidates who are willing to relocate at their own expense.

Hiring Timeline and Urgency:
The client indicated that the role is a backfill and is urgent, having been open for the last month. The hiring timeline is tight, and the team intends to make an offer immediately upon identifying a qualified candidate.

Technical Proficiency and Required Skills:
Candidates must have experience with automated oligonucleotide synthesizers, such as MerMade, ACT, or Shasta, and must understand processing steps including deprotection, purification, and characterization.
Proficiency in high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry is mandatory.
While candidates should have experience with documentation, they do not need prior knowledge of internal Genentech software or electronic lab notebooks, as the team is willing to provide training.
Beneficial skills include knowledge of drug discovery processes, inventory management, and oligonucleotide design.

Interview Process:
The client outlined the interview process, which will begin with a 30-minute phone screen. If the candidate passes the initial screen, they will be interviewed by a team of four, followed by an offer if the team's feedback is positive.

Past Interview Feedback: Regarding the previous opening for this role, The client noted that they did not hire anyone because the shortlisted candidates lacked the necessary synthesis experience. Consequently, applicants from the last opening are not being reconsidered for this current search.
 
Job Description:

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Working Hours: Standard 8 hour shift

 

The Position:

We are seeking a creative, self-motivated, collaborative Contractor/Scientist-II to join the
Nucleic Acid Design and Discovery (NADD) team within ProteinSciences (PS) department at
Genentech. We are looking for a candidate with experience in oligonucleotide discovery and
synthesis to support our new oligonucleotide therapeutics discovery group. Experience in
delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics, large molecule drug discovery, would be preferred. The
successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary chemistry team working in RNAi biology
research and will contribute positively to its developing culture.

Key Responsibilities:

. The candidate will work in an oligonucleotide therapeutic drug discovery research lab
and interface across different therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, immunology
and oncology, to help build a comprehensive therapeutic discovery strategy.
. Good understanding and also troubleshooting experience in oligonucleotide synthesis,
impurity profiling is a plus.
. Collaborate with other scientists to maintain common lab equipment such as oligo
synthesizers, HPLC and desalting units.
. Perform literature reviews, propose, and execute nucleic acid chemistry plans,
coordinate chemistry and biology data to support oligonucleotide compound
progression.
. Establish methods for scaled-up synthesis of lead molecules and coordinate material
delivery for preclinical studies.
. Maintaining a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting to meet the timelines
for in vitro and in vivo studies.


Requirements:

. The candidate must have hands-on experience in oligonucleotide synthesis using
automated oligo synthesizers, novel nucleic acid chemistry, oligonucleotide purification
and characterization using HPLC and mass spectrometry.
. The qualified individual will possess a BS/MS in Organic Chemistry or related discipline.
. The pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience in research and development
of RNAi therapeutics is preferred.
. A good understanding of nucleic acid therapeutic modalities, modification chemistries,
sequence selection, and mechanism of action is preferred. Relevant experience in
oligonucleotide therapeutics, large molecule drug discovery, oligonucleotide delivery or
bio-conjugation is desirable.
. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential and will be evaluated during
the interview process.
. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and have strong problem-solving,
analytical, communication and organizational skills.

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