Tessera Therapeutics Looking for Head of Oligonucleotide Chemistry at Somerville, Massachusetts Full Time

Company Summary:

Tessera Therapeutics is an early-stage life sciences company pioneering Gene Writing, a new biotechnology designed to offer scientists and clinicians the ability to write small and large therapeutic messages into the genome, thereby curing diseases at their source. Gene Writing holds the potential to become a new category in genetic medicine, building upon recent breakthroughs in gene therapy and gene editing while eliminating important limitations in their reach, utilization, and efficacy. Tessera Therapeutics was founded by Flagship Pioneering, a life sciences innovation enterprise that conceives, resources, and develops first-in-category companies to transform human health and sustainability.

Position Summary:

The Oligonucleotide Chemistry Leader will have a proven track record of scientific excellence (strong publication/patent record) and demonstrated success in platform building and team leadership. We are searching for a driven, enthusiastic, and self-motivated individual who is comfortable multi-tasking and working independently on various aspects of the platform. This individual will join a dynamic, rapidly growing, and highly collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop oligonucleotide chemistry vision, strategy, and tactics as a core component of Tessera’s Therapeutics discovery platform
• Drive multiple drug discovery projects in collaboration with the team to build a first-in-class, best-in-class pipeline
• Build a world-class oligonucleotide CMC team/platform, including new lab buildout, to support the Tessera pipeline
• Independently lead both internal team and external CRO partners; identify, develop, and implement both existing oligo chemistries and develop next-generation chemistry solutions
• Lead external manufacturing of oligo with CMOs to support GLP tox studies and IND submissions
• Contribute to multiple projects as a project team leader and senior project team member
• Continually cultivate scientific/technical expertise through a critical review of the scientific literature, attending external conferences, and developing relationships with key opinion leaders
• Work effectively with a cross-functional and highly collaborative biology, technology, and chemistry team to contribute to the delivery of key organizational goals/milestones
• Oversee management of timelines, resourcing, and budget planning
• Provide meaningful contributions to the development of organizational culture and capabilities

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or process chemistry, and 10+ years of relevant experience
• Deep understanding of modern methods in synthetic chemistry with an emphasis on nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotide synthesis, and purification and analytical characterization as applied to nucleic acid therapeutics
• Knowledge related to oligonucleotide conjugation chemistries
• Deep understanding of oligo manufacturing, CRO and CMO capabilities, and familiarity with GMP requirements
• Solid strategic thinking and excellent communication skills for developing/articulating program strategy, risk mitigation plans, and milestones
• Manage workload and expectations independently
• Lead efforts to identify emerging trends in the oligonucleotide therapeutics field and maintain awareness of the competitive landscape
• Develop and contribute to Tessera’s intellectual property estate
• Strong organizational leadership skills with a proven track record in setting vision/strategy and managing team execution to achieve key company milestones
• Excellent people manager to both direct and indirect reports at all levels
• Model exemplary values and behaviors
• Capable of effectively developing the next generation of chemistry talent at Tessera
• Initiate and lead external interactions and collaborations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of RNA biology and oligonucleotide screening technologies to facilitate effective team collaboration
• Scientific driver of research strategy outside of the main area of domain expertise

More About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering has conceived of and created companies such as Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA), Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT), Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Indigo Agriculture. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures. In 2021, Flagship Pioneering was ranked 12th globally on Fortune’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.