Denali Therapeutics

Principal Scientist, Analytical Development, Oligonucleotide & Small Molecule CMC

Denali Therapeutics • $159K — $207K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field with 7+ years of industry experience; or M.S. with 10+ years or B.S. with 12+ years of relevant experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on analytical development experience in oligonucleotide and/or small-molecule drug substances and products.
  • Proven ability to lead and mentor a team while managing laboratory work and technical decision-making.
  • Expertise in chromatographic methods (HPLC/UPLC) and mass spectrometry; familiarity with GC, XRPD, DSC, TGA, and other physicochemical methods is a plus.
  • Strong understanding of oligonucleotide synthesis, purification, impurity characterization, and analytical control strategies.
  • Knowledge of method lifecycle activities, QC testing, specifications, stability programs, and CMC regulatory expectations.
  • Experience in transferring analytical methods and overseeing CRO/CDMO activities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor the Oligonucleotide & Small Molecule CMC Analytical Development team, ensuring talent development and effective prioritization.
  • Design, execute, and oversee analytical method development and validation for oligonucleotide and small-molecule products.
  • Manage analytical activities for impurity characterization, stability testing, and analytical control strategies.
  • Continuously improve laboratory capabilities, workflows, and data integrity while implementing innovative technologies.
  • Analyze complex data to resolve technical issues and provide sound scientific recommendations.
  • Serve as the Analytical Development lead on cross-functional teams, collaborating to meet program goals.
  • Oversee analytical work at CROs and CDMOs, including method transfer and data review.

Benefits

  • 401k plan
  • Healthcare coverage
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Broad range of additional benefits
Full Job Description
Lead and mentor the Oligonucleotide & Small Molecule CMC Analytical Development team while providing hands-on scientific leadership in analytical method development, testing, and characterization. Oversee laboratory capabilities, external analytical work, and regulatory documentation, collaborating across teams to resolve technical challenges and advance development programs. Key Accountabilities / Core Job Responsibilities: • Lead and mentor the Oligonucleotide & Small Molecule CMC Analytical Development team, developing talent, setting day-to-day priorities, reviewing data, and developing technical capabilities while maintaining a regular, hands-on presence in the laboratory. • Design, execute, troubleshoot, and oversee analytical method development, qualification, validation, transfer, testing, and characterization for oligonucleotide and small-molecule starting materials, intermediates, drug substances, and drug products. • Lead analytical activities for assigned programs, including impurity characterization, impurity fate and purge, reference standards, stability testing, specifications, and stage-appropriate analytical control strategies. • Establish, operate, and continuously improve internal analytical laboratory capabilities, including instrumentation, workflows, documentation, data integrity, safety, and laboratory readiness; identify and implement innovative technologies and practical improvements that strengthen laboratory and program performance. • Analyze and interpret complex data, integrating knowledge of oligonucleotide synthesis, purification, formulation, and degradation pathways to resolve technical issues and provide scientifically sound recommendations. • Serve as the Analytical Development lead on assigned cross-functional program teams, collaborating with discovery scientists, process chemists, formulation, quality, regulatory, and project teams to meet program goals and timelines. • Plan and oversee defined analytical work at CROs and CDMOs, including method transfer, technical guidance, data review, and troubleshooting. • Author and review specifications, Certificates of Analysis, validation protocols and reports, and relevant analytical CMC sections of regulatory submissions. Qualifications / Skills: • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline with 7+ years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with 10+ years or B.S. with 12+ years of relevant industry experience. • At least 5 years of hands-on analytical development experience supporting oligonucleotide and/or small-molecule drug substances and drug products, with demonstrated scientific leadership on development programs. • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a small team while balancing direct laboratory work, technical decision-making, delegation, and timely delivery of results. • Deep expertise in chromatographic methods, including HPLC/UPLC, and in mass spectrometry is expected; experience with relevant techniques such as GC, XRPD, DSC, TGA, and other physicochemical methods is desirable. • Strong understanding of oligonucleotide synthesis and purification processes, impurity characterization, fate-and-purge assessments, and analytical control strategy development. • Working knowledge of method lifecycle activities, stage-appropriate QC testing, specifications, stability programs, data integrity, and CMC regulatory expectations from early clinical development through late-stage development. • Experience transferring analytical methods and providing technical oversight of CRO/CDMO activities, including review and interpretation of externally generated data. Salary Range: $159,000.00 to $207,000.00 . Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

About Denali Therapeutics

Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company's pipeline includes treatments for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Denali Therapeutics uses a proprietary technology platform to develop drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is a major challenge in treating neurological disorders. The company was founded by a team of scientists with extensive experience in drug development and neuroscience research.
Learn more about Denali Therapeutics
Size
380 employees
Market Cap
$3.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$71.1 million
Founded
2015
Revenue
$335.6 million
NASDAQ

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