Associate Scientist/Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities includes editing, splicing, RNA interference and antisense silencing, providing us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline includes clinical programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Huntington’s disease, as well as a preclinical program in obesity. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description: 

Wave Life Sciences is seeking a highly motivated synthetic organic chemist to join its medicinal chemistry team in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is an ideal position for an individual who is interested in learning cutting edge technologies and who thrives in a team-oriented, fast-paced, and cross-disciplinary biotech environment. The candidate will be responsible for planning, designing, and executing multi-step synthesis including purification and compound characterization.  Collaboration with colleagues across disciplines, participation in project team meetings, and contribution toward creative problem solving are all encouraged. Prior experience in industry is preferred. 

Experience: 

• BS 5 years or MS 2 years in Chemistry or related discipline with hands-on, relevant lab experience in synthetic organic chemistry in an industry setting
• Synthesis and purification of organic compounds on reactor scale experience is a plus
• Familiar with modern chromatographic techniques, automated flash chromatography and modern analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC, LCMS etc)
• Ability to be highly productive in a fast-paced work environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential
• Strong desire to work in multi-disciplinary teams, and proactively solve problems

Responsibilities:     

• Under general supervision, perform multi-step organic synthesis, operates scientific equipment and instruments, analyze data, and prepares related reports
• Synthesize and characterize potential impurities impurity profiling of monomers
• Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols and data in accordance with company policy
• Presentation of results in both written and oral format and delivery of completed reports within a multidisciplinary team
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with critical collaborative partners throughout the company
• Conducting multi-step organic synthesis reactions, including purification and isolation of products
• Staying updated on the latest synthetic methodologies and applying them to solve synthetic challenges
• Optimizing reaction conditions to improve yield, purity, and scalability
• Interpreting data to confirm the structure and purity of synthesized compounds
• Preparing technical reports, presentations, or publications summarizing findings
• Maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks to document experimental procedures, observations, and results
• Translating bench-scale reactions to larger scales for industrial or commercial production

Key Skills:

• Following laboratory safety protocols, including proper handling of hazardous chemicals
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot reactions or optimize processes
• Communicating results and progress to supervisors, project managers, or clients

Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties, and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.