Senior Scientist

Scientist / Senior Scientist – RNA Analytical Development

About the Opportunity

Our client is a pioneering organisation at the forefront of RNA therapeutics, dedicated to advancing next-generation nucleic acid medicines from discovery through to clinical development. With a strong translational focus and a growing pipeline across multiple RNA modalities, they are seeking an experienced Scientist or Senior Scientist to play a key role in building and advancing analytical development capabilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly collaborative, innovation-driven environment and contribute to the development of cutting-edge RNA-based therapies.

The Role

As Scientist / Senior Scientist, RNA Analytical Development, you will be responsible for establishing and implementing analytical development strategies across raw materials, drug substances, and drug products. You will lead the development of robust, scalable, and phase-appropriate analytical workflows that support platform technologies and pipeline programmes across a range of RNA modalities.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will provide scientific expertise to ensure analytical methods, product characterisation, and quality strategies align with development objectives and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute analytical characterisation strategies for RNA-related raw materials, drug substances, and drug products.
• Design and implement analytical workflows using orthogonal techniques including HPLC, LC-MS, CE, UV spectroscopy, qPCR, DLS, TEM, and related technologies.
• Apply Quality by Design (QbD) principles to establish critical quality attributes (CQAs) and ensure methods are robust, scalable, and fit for purpose.
• Collaborate with process development, formulation, manufacturing, and project teams to support programme progression.
• Generate, maintain, and review SOPs, analytical methods, validation protocols, and technical documentation.
• Ensure accurate data capture, management, and traceability through electronic laboratory management systems.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and scientific updates for internal stakeholders.
• Evaluate and implement emerging analytical technologies and industry best practices in RNA characterisation and development.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• For Scientist level: typically 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• For Senior Scientist level: typically 8+ years of relevant industry experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or advanced therapeutics environments.
• Strong experience in analytical development for nucleic acid therapeutics, including oligonucleotides and/or mRNA-based products.
• Hands-on expertise with a broad range of analytical techniques such as LC-MS, LC-HRMS, capillary electrophoresis, chromatography-based methods, spectroscopy, and related characterisation tools.
• Experience developing analytical workflows for RNA raw materials, drug substances, and finished products.
• Knowledge of purification technologies including preparative chromatography, tangential flow filtration, and related downstream processing approaches.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges and deliver results in a fast-paced development environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting CMC activities and analytical method validation for regulatory submissions.
• Exposure to IND-enabling development programmes.
• Experience with modified oligonucleotides and conjugated delivery platforms.
• Development of automated or high-throughput analytical workflows.

Personal Attributes

• Strong scientific curiosity and innovative mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and collaborative.
• Comfortable working independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Adaptable and driven in a dynamic, growth-focused environment.

About Planet Pharma:

Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.

Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognised by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.

We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

www.planet-pharma.com