Senior Scientist

Job Title: Principal Scientist/Senior Scientist

Job Number: 37291

Location: Indianapolis, IA

Job Description

Location: Indianapolis
Reports to: Sr. Director, Chemistry

A well‑funded, early‑stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for metabolic diseases is building out its Discovery team. Backed by experienced leadership and strong financial support, the company is advancing a novel pipeline aimed at addressing limitations in current treatments for body weight control. Its lead program is expected to enter initial clinical development by 2027.

This Scientist will join the Discovery team responsible for the design, synthesis, and characterization of chemical leads and drug candidates supporting a growing drug discovery portfolio. The role requires creative thinking and the ability to efficiently translate ideas into practice.

Projects may involve work with peptides and proteins, including:

• Solid‑Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS)
• Peptide and protein conjugation
• Purification techniques (HPLC, IEC, SEC, silica gel flash chromatography)
• Analytical characterization (LCMS, NMR, SDS‑PAGE)
• Biophysical analysis (SEC, DSF, DLS, AUC)

This is an opportunity to contribute in a collaborative, fast‑paced research environment focused on advancing novel therapeutics in the metabolic disease space.

Responsibilities

• Design and recommend peptides and proteins with therapeutic potential for metabolic diseases
• Independently perform SPPS and troubleshoot synthetic strategies
• Conduct chemical modification of peptides and proteins to optimize pharmacological properties
• Purify drug candidates and intermediates using HPLC, IEC, SEC, and flash chromatography
• Screen and formulate drug candidates in buffers suitable for downstream characterization

• Utilize LCMS, NMR, SDS‑PAGE, and related techniques to characterize synthesized compounds
• Ensure purity, identity, and biophysical properties meet therapeutic development standards

• Conduct rigorous data analysis and provide clear, insightful interpretations
• Present findings to multidisciplinary project teams to support decision‑making
• Maintain accurate and well‑organized laboratory records, including electronic lab notebooks

• Partner closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and other researchers
• Communicate progress, results, and challenges through written reports and presentations
• Maintain professional standards while working within the IBRI incubator space and interacting with site personnel

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and laboratory safety protocols
• Participate in laboratory inspections and audits as required

Required Skills

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related field with 5+ years of experience
• Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience

• Extensive experience with SPPS peptide synthesis
• Experience with peptide and protein modification
• Proficiency in purification and analytical techniques
• Experience with electronic inventory systems (e.g., Quartzy) and electronic lab notebooks (e.g., Benchling)
• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite

• Self‑starter comfortable in a high‑energy, fast‑paced environment
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills

• Experience with biophysical techniques and drug formulation
• Knowledge of drug discovery and development processes
• Experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology commercial setting