Summer Intern, CMC Oligonucleotide Process Development

The Position

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated CMC Oligonucleotide Process Development Intern to support the development and optimization of RNA synthesis processes for therapeutic oligonucleotides. This internship will focus on improving the synthesis of oligonucleotides that incorporate custom and proprietary building blocks, with an emphasis on maximizing yield, improving crude purity, and characterizing and reducing impurities.

The intern’s work will directly support the Oligo Process Development and Manufacturing teams by enabling higher-quality materials to be delivered more efficiently, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving the safety profile of drug candidates incorporating these advanced functionalities.

This is an 11-week Summer Internship Program paying $21.00 per hour and requires full-time, onsite work five days per week at the designated location.

Responsibilities

• Perform solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis using automated synthesizers and learn associated synthetic chemistry techniques.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize key synthesis parameters with the goal of maximizing oligonucleotide yield and purity.
• Learn and apply principles of oligonucleotide characterization using HPLC and mass spectrometry to evaluate product quality and impurity profiles.
• Conduct chromatographic purification experiments, as needed, to assess impurity removal and process robustness.
• Maintain a detailed, accurate laboratory notebook and provide regular progress updates to the project team.
• Gain exposure to principles of process scale-up and participate, when appropriate, in technology transfer discussions with the Manufacturing team.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Completion of at least two semesters of college-level organic chemistry lecture and laboratory coursework by the start of the internship.
• Familiarity with standard analytical and characterization techniques, including UV/Vis spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry.
• Understanding of basic laboratory safety practices and ability to work safely in a laboratory environment.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Undergraduate research experience in a laboratory setting.
• Prior experience with solid-phase synthesis.
• Coursework in analytical chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC