Scientist, Chemistry

About the company

Element Biosciences is driven by a mission to give the scientific community greater freedom and flexibility so research can have a bigger impact on humanity. The company has built a streamlined, product-focused culture where people are encouraged to learn, develop, and succeed in a demanding but supportive workplace. Its values emphasize scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

Role overview

The company is hiring an experienced Scientist, Chemistry to help create new reagents for next-generation DNA sequencing. This position is ideal for someone with a strong interest in discovering fluorescent dyes and deep hands-on experience in dye and conjugate synthesis and purification. The role reports to the Head of Chemistry and is based onsite in San Diego, California.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and purify fluorescent dyes, NHS esters, dye conjugates, and energy-transfer dyes.
• Prepare and purify nucleosides, nucleotides, and reversible terminators.
• Develop and refine synthesis methods for water-soluble spacers and cleavable linkers.
• Scale up the synthesis and purification of small molecules, macromolecules, and complex bioconjugates.
• Create and support quality-control assay development.
• Track relevant scientific literature and apply useful findings to ongoing projects.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to support R&D and assist other departments as needed.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline, with a strong foundation in synthetic chemistry.
• Prior experience designing and synthesizing new dye scaffolds is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of experience with synthesis and HPLC purification, including reverse-phase and ion-exchange methods, for small molecules, fluorescent dyes, dye conjugates, energy-transfer dyes, nucleosides, and nucleotides.
• Proven ability to characterize fluorescent dyes, dye conjugates, energy-transfer dyes, nucleosides, and nucleotides using NMR (1H, 31P, 19F, DEPTQ, HMBC, HSQC), LCMS, and excitation/emission spectra.
• Strong understanding of photophysical principles.
• Ability to work well with others and contribute positively in a lab setting.
• Hands-on experience with SciFinder, ChemDraw, and Mnova.
• Experience in bioconjugation, assay development, photo(redox) chemistry, or system integration is an added advantage.
• Willingness and ability to handle laboratory chemicals safely, follow PPE requirements, and perform physically active lab work, including moving boxes up to 20 pounds.
• Open to up to 5% travel or travel as needed.

Additional details

This is a full-time, exempt, onsite role in San Diego, CA. The base salary range is $116,000 to $149,000 per year. Compensation may vary depending on location, qualifications, and experience. In addition to base pay, the role includes stock options, a discretionary annual bonus, no-cost health insurance plans, a 401(k) with company match, and flexible paid time off.

Equal opportunity

The company provides equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.