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Nucleic Acid Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Experience in biochemistry, chemistry, or related fields with practical exposure to nucleic acid delivery platforms. * Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team ...

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Nucleic Acid Chemist information

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How much do nucleic acid chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for nucleic acid chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nucleic acid chemist?

A Nucleic Acid Chemist is a scientist who specializes in the study and manipulation of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. Their work involves designing, synthesizing, modifying, and analyzing nucleic acid molecules for various applications in biotechnology, medicine, and research. Nucleic Acid Chemists play a vital role in developing new drugs, diagnostic tools, and gene-editing technologies. They often work in laboratories within academic, pharmaceutical, or biotech settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nucleic acid chemist?

To thrive as a Nucleic Acid Chemist, you typically need a strong background in organic or analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and a relevant advanced degree such as a PhD or MSc. Proficiency with techniques like HPLC, mass spectrometry, nucleic acid synthesis, and familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills make candidates stand out in this position. These qualifications are crucial for ensuring high-quality research, accurate data, and successful collaboration in the development of nucleic acid-based products or therapies.

What are some common challenges faced by nucleic acid chemists when synthesizing complex oligonucleotides?

Nucleic Acid Chemists often encounter challenges such as ensuring high purity and yield during the synthesis of complex oligonucleotides, especially when introducing chemical modifications or working with longer sequences. Maintaining stringent quality control to prevent cross-contamination and degradation is crucial, as is troubleshooting equipment or reagent inconsistencies. Collaborating closely with analytical teams and biologists is also a routine part of the job, ensuring that synthesized products meet the specifications required for downstream applications like therapeutics or diagnostics.

What is the difference between Nucleic Acid Chemist vs Molecular Biologist?

AspectNucleic Acid ChemistMolecular Biologist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields; often with specialized training in nucleic acidsBachelor's or Master's in Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on chemical synthesis, modification, and analysis of nucleic acidsResearch labs studying gene function, expression, and cellular processes
Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, research institutionsAcademic, biotech, healthcare research

While both roles involve working with genetic materials, a Nucleic Acid Chemist specializes in the chemical aspects of nucleic acids, such as synthesis and modification, whereas a Molecular Biologist focuses on understanding gene functions and biological processes. The roles often overlap in research settings but differ in their primary focus and skill set.

More about Nucleic Acid Chemist jobs
Infographic showing various Nucleic Acid Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 77% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Associate Director/Director, Platform and Pipeline Medical Affairs Lead

Wave Life Sciences

Cambridge, MA โ€ข On-site

$167K - $286K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description


Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform. Driven by the calling to "Reimagine Possible", we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.
Description:
The Director/Associate Director, Platform and Pipeline Medical Affairs Lead will be responsible for developing scientific content to support communication and publication strategies across platform and discovery-stage programs at Wave. The Associate Director/Director, Platform and Pipeline Medical Affairs Lead will help to advance science by partnering with our scientists to support communication and publication strategies across Wave's innovative discovery and pipeline programs. This role will be based in our Lexington, MA or Cambridge, MA office with a hybrid work arrangement.
Experience:
  • Advanced degree required, doctorate level (Ph.D., M.D., or PharmD) preferred
  • 5-8 years relevant industry experience
  • Background in chemistry, chemical biology or biochemistry, with demonstrable knowledge of nucleic acid chemistry
  • Basic understanding of drug discovery and development
  • Experience writing and publishing clear, concise, and highly readable articles in English in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Responsibilities:
  • Draft and/or manage development of publications (abstracts, posters, slide presentations, and journal articles) to meet scientific communication goals in alignment with the overall objectives for Wave's platform and discovery stage programs
  • Provide oversight of work performed by external communications agencies, contract writers, and/or artists to develop materials that meet communication goals
  • Coordinate, lead, and participate in meetings with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and timely completion of projects
  • Collaborate with Platform Discovery, Translational, Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, and Patient Advocacy to support external communications across audiences on key milestones and data
  • Represent Medical Affairs on pipeline-related governance committees, partnering closely with R&D, and new product planning (e.g., contributing to treatment landscape understanding and shaping TPP - target product profile)
  • Develop, maintain and disseminate key informational documents to support Wave's platform and discovery-stage programs (eg, communication platforms, Frequently Asked Questions, and congress reports)

Key Skills:
  • Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Self-directed, skilled in project planning and time management
  • Collaborative team player
  • Agile and willing to adapt to evolving priorities
  • Strong scientific acumen and able to master new concepts
  • Basic understanding of nucleic acid chemistry
  • Proficient in Microsoft programs (Office, Powerpoint, Excel); experience with graphic programs (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign) is a plus

Pay Range External Disclosure Statement
The annual base salary range for this position is $167,000 - $286,000.
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the annual base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual annual base salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, position criticality, and internal equity. This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and discretionary stock-based long-term incentives. In addition to compensation, Wave offers a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees' and their families physical and financial health and overall well-being. These include, but are not limited to, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability insurances, generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), 401K participation with matching contributions, and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties, and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.