Process Development Chemist II

LGC Axolabs is a business unit of LGC, and a leading provider of CRO / CDMO capability to the therapeutic oligonucleotide discovery and development industry. Centred out of LGC’s site in Kulmbach, Germany, Axolabs works closely with its customers to assist the identification and development of lead candidates with a broad suite of bioinformatics, biology, chemistry, manufacturing and analytical services that support discovery, pre-clinical and clinical trials and scale-up manufacture. With a track record in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics that traces back more than 20 years, Axolabs provides deep knowledge and expertise in the services it provides, working collaboratively and responsively with its clients to assist them in achieving their objectives. 

LGC Axolabs facility in Petaluma is focused on manufacturing scale-up and production to cGMP of multigram to kilograms of API for pre-clinical and clinical development. Our site in California has been involved in oligonucleotide synthesis for three decades and established the therapeutics activity in 2019. With around 70 staff and two manufacturing trains, Axolabs offers a flexible manufacturing service out of Petaluma that draws where necessary on our industry and chemical and analytical expertise in Kulmbach.

Join our ambitious team at LGC, where your expertise will contribute to a powerful therapeutic oligonucleotide GMP manufacturing facility in Petaluma, CA. As a Process Development Chemist II, you will work in our innovative lab, developing and optimizing processes to support therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing. This role is pivotal in transferring and troubleshooting production issues, ensuring flawless execution and success in our brand new projects.

Working hours: Monday-Thursday (8:00am-6:00pm PST)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a minimum of 2 years of practical experience working in an organic or bioprocess laboratory.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency working with HPLC, UV, and pH equipment.
• Proven ability to provide technical support in root cause failure analysis for production and quality incidents.
• Outstanding record-keeping of production activities, experimental procedures, and analytical data.
• Maintain the chemistry laboratory space in strict compliance with safety regulations.
• Ability to provide technical customer support and routine progress updates to clients, in conjunction with the project manager assigned to each specific project.
• Self-motivated with the capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively in teams.
• Strong professional presence and meticulous attention to detail.
• Technical proficiency that ensures effective execution of detailed procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with common computer software packages (Windows, MS Office, etc.).
• Capable of multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in optimizing and scaling up/down solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, purification, conjugation, and downstream processing methods in preparation for handover to routine manufacturing.
• Experience providing technical and early-stage manufacturing support in the development of therapeutic GMP manufacturing processes and capabilities, including drafting manufacturing procedures.
• Extensive experience in nucleoside, nucleotide, nucleic acid, or oligonucleotide chemistry.
• Proven experience in process development, process transfer, scale-up/down modeling, equipment, and Unicorn software.
• Experience in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis chemistry, anion-exchange, and/or reverse-phase chromatography.

What we offer (US based-employees):

• Competitive compensation with a strong bonus program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents
• FSA/HSA Pre-tax savings plans for health care, childcare, and elder care
• Deductible Buffer Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching employer contribution
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program
• Flexible work options
• Pet Insurance for our furry friends
• Improved Parental leave of 8 additional weeks
• PTO that begins immediately
• Monthly Town Hall meetings (onsite/virtual), Cheer program recognizing outstanding work, company-wide social events, frequent catered lunches, and much more!

The typical pay range for this role is:

Minimum: $69,000 /Annum

Maximum: $115,000 /Annum

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the California-based position. The actual base salary will depend on several factors such as experience, skills, and location.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Equal opportunities

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or parental status, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing, and selection will always be carried out without regard to these factors.

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com

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