"Principal Scientist siRNA Design

Roche is a global healthcare company dedicated to transforming science into medicines. The company focuses on creating innovative solutions to tackle unmet healthcare needs. The Principal Scientist siRNA Design role is within the Therapeutic Modalities (TMo) organization, which translates disease biology into high-quality drug candidates. This includes small molecules, large molecules, oligonucleotides, and genomic medicines. The role involves designing and optimizing therapeutic siRNA against various disease targets, from Target Assessment through Lead Optimization. The main responsibilities include leading the drug design strategy for oligonucleotides, with a focus on siRNAs. This involves using computational and empirical approaches for both initial Proof of Concept on novel targets and full-scale lead optimization for clinical development. The role also requires guiding projects to ensure early design decisions align with late-stage clinical and manufacturing requirements. Additionally, the scientist will use and invent new advanced chemical modification patterns and sequence selection strategies to optimize the pharmacological properties of siRNAs. Collaboration with AI experts to develop and apply AI design solutions is also a key part of the role. To excel in this position, candidates must have a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, or a related field, along with 5+ years of industry experience specifically in siRNA/RNAi therapeutic design. A deep understanding of the RNAi mechanism and profiling of siRNA therapeutics is essential. Proven experience in applying chemical modification patterns of siRNA to enhance therapeutic profiles is also required. Familiarity with the interface of biology and data science, including hands-on experience with command-line utilities and scripting languages for biological sequence analysis and data management, is crucial. Nice-to-have skills include the ability to communicate complex nucleic acid chemistry to non-experts and integrate feedback from diverse stakeholders. Strategic thinking to balance aggressive development timelines with meticulous attention to detail is also valuable. Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, are important. The role is based in Basel, Switzerland, where Roche fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. What the role asks for: - Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, or a related field. - 5+ years of industry experience specifically in siRNA/RNAi therapeutic design. - Deep understanding of the RNAi mechanism and profiling of siRNA therapeutics. - Proven track record in applying chemical modification patterns of siRNA to enhance therapeutic profile. - Familiarity with the interface of biology and data science. - Hands-on experience with command-line utilities and scripting languages for biological sequence analysis and data management.