Senior Scientist, Payload Engineering

About Us

Seawolf Therapeutics is a venture-backed company based in San Diego, CA. We are an innovative and collaborative team developing DNA-based medicines that will be first-in-class and best-in-class long-acting therapeutics for patients living with unmet medical needs. Come join our team and be an agent of change.

Position Summary

Seawolf Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and detail-oriented Senior Scientist to join our Payload Engineering team. This is a hands-on, on-site role with approximately 70% lab work and 30% experimental planning and data analysis. The successful candidate will have deep expertise in FPLC-based purification and HPLC-based analysis of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and mRNA) to lead the development and scale-up of purification processes and analytical methods for nucleic acid therapeutics. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in a Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) team with responsibility for internal and external activities to drive programs through nonclinical and clinical development. The core of this role is focused on laboratory execution, with growth opportunities in CMC-related activities of process design, optimization, scalability, quality control, and cross-functional leadership. This role requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, can prioritize tasks based on strategic goals and timelines, and communicates effectively between cross-functional teams.

Candidates with strong chromatography expertise in proteins or other biomolecules are encouraged to apply; direct nucleic acid experience is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development & Purification

• Design, develop, and optimize purification processes for nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA)
• Lead and execute purification using AKTA/FPLC chromatography systems (IEX, affinity, SEC, HIC, as applicable)
• Develop and optimize TFF-based workflows for buffer exchange, concentration, and impurity removal
• Scale purification processes from bench to pilot/manufacturing scale

Execution & Technical Oversight

• Oversee and, when needed, directly perform purification of nucleic acids using chromatography and TFF
• Guide preparation of samples for internal studies and downstream applications
• Ensure proper operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of AKTA systems and filtration equipment
• Establish best practices and train junior scientists and research associates

Analytical Characterization & Quality Control

• Design and implement analytical strategies to evaluate nucleic acid quality
• Interpret and oversee QC assays including:
• HPLC (SEC, IEX, RP)
• Capillary electrophoresis
• Gel electrophoresis
• UV-Vis quantification
• Plate-based assays (e.g., endotoxin, ELISA, qPCR where applicable)
• Define and monitor critical quality attributes (CQAs): purity, integrity, size distribution, topology, and residual impurities

Process Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Identify process bottlenecks and implement improvements in yield, purity, and scalability
• Troubleshoot complex purification and analytical challenges
• Drive continuous improvement of purification workflows and analytical methods

Documentation & Data Management

• Ensure accurate and thorough documentation of experimental procedures, data, and process development activities
• Review and approve data generated by junior team members
• Contribute to technical reports, SOPs, and regulatory documentation

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with upstream, formulation, and analytical teams to advance programs
• Support technology transfer to manufacturing or external partners
• Adapt to evolving project priorities in a fast-paced, data-driven environment

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, or related field with 6 years of relevant experience

OR

• M.S. or B.S. degree with 12-15 years of relevant industry experience

Technical Skills (Required)

• Extensive hands-on expertise with FPLC/AKTA chromatography systems, including method development, optimization, and scale-up
• Experience purifying biomolecules using chromatographic techniques (IEX, affinity, SEC, HIC)
• (experience may be in proteins, nucleic acids, or related biomolecules)
• Strong experience with Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) for buffer exchange and concentration
• Proficiency in analytical methods:
• HPLC
• Capillary electrophoresis
• Gel electrophoresis
• UV-Vis and plate-based assays
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for both experimental workflows and equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with nucleic acid purification (plasmid DNA, mRNA, IVT RNA, linear DNA)
• Familiarity with nucleic acid production methods (PCR, IVT, enzymatic synthesis, etc.)
• Experience with impurity profiling (endotoxin, host cell DNA/RNA, proteins)
• Knowledge of GMP/CMC requirements for therapeutic development

Organizational & Leadership Skills

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to data quality and documentation
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and drive timelines independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior team members
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with flexibility in a fast-paced environment
• A commitment to collaborative leadership, management, teamwork, delegation and foster a professional culture based on trust and mutual respect in a fast-paced environment.

Authorization

• Applicants must have authorization to work in the US

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $127,000 to $159,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

Seawolf provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K, stock options and bonus.