Uncommon Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
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Join to apply for the Scientist (Chemist) – Nucleic Acid Delivery role at Uncommon
Uncommon Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Join to apply for the Scientist (Chemist) – Nucleic Acid Delivery role at Uncommon
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Uncommon Bio began with cell-based meat and pioneered RNA delivery innovations, which evolved into their most recent spin out which is focusing on changing medicine through multi-targeting. Their polysaccharide-based delivery platform enables multi-pathway cell programming, offering a safe, efficient and scalable alternative to multi-target therapies. The company is initially targeting severe lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is backed by industry leaders from BioNTech and top investors, including Sam Altman, Balderton, Lowercarbon, and Redalpine.
The role
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Scientist with strong expertise in lipid and polymer-based delivery systems to join our dynamic R&D team. This role is central to expanding our in vivo delivery platform for nucleic acid therapeutics, with a particular focus on developing tissue-targeted strategies.
In this position, you will be a key factor in leading the design, formulation, and optimisation of delivery vehicles to enable targeted delivery of nucleic acids to specific organs and cell types. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to expand our screening capabilities, characterise delivery performance, and contribute to preclinical development activities. This is a hands-on, lab-based role with the opportunity to make a direct impact on the advancement of our therapeutic platform.
Key Responsibilities:
* Become a critical part of the development and optimisation of lipid- and polymer-based delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics, with a focus on in vivo applications.
* Independently plan, execute, and analyse high-throughput screening experiments to evaluate delivery efficiency, biodistribution, and targeting.
* Perform routine characterisation of delivery systems using physico-chemical methods and nucleic acid binding assays to assess formulation quality and stability.
* Stay up to date with emerging technologies in delivery science and apply innovative strategies to expand our platform.
* Contribute to preclinical development and support CMC-related activities and documentation.
* Maintain clear and thorough records of experimental data, following protocols, and regularly present findings to the team.
Required skills:
* Strong expertise in lipid and polymer-based delivery systems, or proven experience adapting delivery systems for nucleic acids targeting to specific organs and cell types.
* Knowledge of biodistribution and pharmacokinetics studies for delivery validation.
* Minimum of 2 years industry experience (with PhD or equivalent), specifically focused on nucleic acid delivery systems.
* Working knowledge of mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique, as well as transfection of nucleic acids and nucleic acid formulations. Cell culture training can be provided in the company.
* Understanding of cellular mechanisms, including immunogenicity, endosomal escape and intracellular trafficking.
* Experience developing or optimising targeting delivery strategies.
* Solid backgrounds in formulating delivery vehicles with nucleic acids.
* Experience working in high-throughput environments.
* Strong data analysis skills and familiarity with relevant software tools for screening and delivery performance analysis.
Nice to have:
* Experience advancing products through clinical trials.
* Exposure/ knowledge of CMC activities e.g. experience scaling lab-scale production towards manufacturing and tech transfer to CDMOs.
* Hands-on experience with automation.
* Experience with stability and formulation studies for nucleic acid delivery systems.
* Proficiency in nucleic acid binding assays.
* Experience conjugating peptides or antibodies to delivery systems for targeted delivery.
* Experience with in vivo screening of delivery systems.
If you're passionate about the intersection of chemistry, delivery science, and molecular therapeutics — and are excited to work in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment — we’d love to hear from you.
Reward
Alongside a competitive base salary, all our people get these benefits:
* Share options
* 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
* Enhanced parental leave pay
* Cycle-to-work scheme and wellbeing allowance
* Flexible hours
* "Make your work life easier" annual stipend
* Regular team dinners and social activities
* Snacks, fruits, tea, coffee and more!
Uncommon recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age, and other protected status as required by applicable law. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions, responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position, and Uncommon Limited retains the discretion to modify.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
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