SENISCA is seeking a Director of Oligonucleotide Chemistry and Delivery to be in position by Summer 2022. This Executive level R&D position requires strategic thinking, an ability to work collaboratively with external CRO partners, portfolio mindset and deep scientific expertise across several of the following disciplines:

• oligonucleotide chemistry,
• bioconjugation chemistry,
• cellular and molecular pharmacology,
• cell delivery technologies,
• nanotechnologies and
• understanding of the IP and regulatory landscape around oligonucleotide therapeutics.

This is an exceptional opportunity for the right candidate, joining SENISCA at the start of a high-growth journey for one of the UK’s leading RNA medicine biotech spinouts.

This new Director-level position will join the existing co-founders’ team of Chief Technical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer and launch Chief Executive Officer. It is intended that this role will be mainly based in Exeter UK, however there is potential for either a second UK-based SENISCA office, or a Europe or US-based satellite office or R&D base.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• A lead role in the execution of strategic plans to develop SENISCA’s pipeline therapeutic programmes, from discovery through to lead candidate, cell delivery and clinical development.
• Supervise and manage third-party CRO collaboration and outsourced work as needed.
• Provide scientific direction, strategy and leadership for:
  - novel oligonucleotide chemistry, discovery and formulation, in order to drive advancement of lead candidate selection and modification,
  - process development and optimization of oligonucleotide delivery for ex vivo testing phase, leading in time to in vivo testing phase, guided by a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape and IP requirements.
• Critically evaluate experiment data and communicate scientific findings as verbal presentations and written reports to relevant internal and external parties, including key SENISCA stakeholders and investors.

Experience and skillsets to include all, or some of the below:

• PhD degree in a synthetic organic, medicinal chemistry, or related scientific discipline. Postdoctoral experience with an emphasis on nucleic acid chemistry and/or nucleic acid cell delivery systems.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with a proven track record of leading innovative oligonucleotide discovery and/or oligonucleotide delivery projects.
• Proven experience as a project leader in a biopharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Strong track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed first-author publications, patent applications, and/or presentations at major national meetings is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• A work ethic, sense of urgency, adaptability and enthusiasm that will allow the successful candidate to thrive in a fast-paced, cutting-edge research environment.

Please send CV’s and initial enquiries to HR@senisca.com addressed to Anna Bennett (SENISCA’s Business Co-ordinator), within the initial application window of the 15th February to 15th of March 2022.