Associate Director, Oligonucleotide Chemistry

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Company Description

Insmed is a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients living with serious and rare diseases. Our most valuable resource is our employees, and everything we do is motivated by a patients-first mentality. We are dedicated to growing our team with talented individuals from around the world who are willing to challenge the status quo, solve problems, and work collaboratively with a sense of urgency and compassion.

Guided by our core values of collaboration, accountability, passion, respect, and integrity, we aim to foster an inclusive, diverse, and flexible work environment, where our employees are recognized for leaning in and rolling up their sleeves. If you share our vision and want to work with the most dedicated people in the biopharma industry, come to Insmed to accelerate your career.

Recognitions

Consistently Ranked Science ’s Top Employer

Insmed is dedicated to creating a collaborative environment where our team can thrive. Every day, our employees turn their passion for science and research into innovative solutions for patients. That’s why we’ve been named the No. 1 company to work for in the biopharma industry in Science ’s Top Employers survey for four years in a row.

A Certified Great Place to Work

We believe our company is truly special, and our employees agree. In July 2025, we became Great Place to Work-certified in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row. We are also honored to have been listed on the Best Workplaces in Biopharma, Best Workplaces in New York, PEOPLE Companies That Care, Best Workplaces for Women, Best Workplaces for Millennials, and Best Medium Workplaces lists.

Summary

At Insmed, our purpose is to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. Now, in a pivotal moment of expansion, we are building a new, state-of-the-art oligonucleotide discovery platform in the heart of Cambridge, UK. We are seeking an outstanding and forward-thinking Associate Director of Oligonucleotide Chemistry to help spearhead this effort. Reporting directly to the VP of Chemistry, you will be a foundational member of our UK-based oligo discovery team. This is a unique opportunity to be an architect of our platform, influence strategy from the ground up, and lead projects that will define our future pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Platform Strategy: Act as a chief architect in designing and implementing Insmed’s oligonucleotide discovery platform, defining the core scientific strategies and technological infrastructure.
• Medicinal Chemistry Leadership: Develop and execute the medicinal chemistry strategy for our oligonucleotide projects, ensuring alignment with overall research and corporate goals.
• Team Management & Mentorship: Develop a team & foster their scientific and professional development.
• Project Execution: Drive the design, synthesis, purification, and characterisation of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. Provide scientific leadership to multidisciplinary project teams to ensure milestones are met.
• Scientific Innovation: Stay at the forefront of the field, championing new technologies and chemical strategies to enhance our oligonucleotide platform. This includes exploring novel conjugation and delivery solutions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Oversee the interpretation of complex datasets (including biophysical, invitro, and in vivo data) to guide compound design and project direction.
• External Collaboration: Manage and direct activities with Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and build effective relationships with academic collaborators.
• Intellectual Property: Play a key role in identifying and protecting novel intellectual property through patent filings and maintaining clear laboratory records.
• Communication: Clearly and effectively present scientific strategies, data, and progress to internal governance bodies, project teams, and senior leadership. Contribute to publications and present at external scientific conferences.

What We Are Looking For

• A PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 7+ years experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry with experience in leadership.
• Demonstrated track record of leadership in multi-disciplinary drug discovery projects from hit-finding to pre-clinical candidate nomination candidate nomination.
• Deep technical expertise in the design and synthesis of various oligonucleotide modalities (e.g., antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), aptamers) and associated chemical modifications (e.g., LNA, phosphorthioates).
• A strong understanding of the broader drug discovery process, including pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound, data-driven decisions in a timely manner.
• Outstanding communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in managing external chemistry resources (CROs).

At Insmed, we’re committed to investing in every team member’s total well-being, now and in the future. Our benefit programs vary by country but we offer the following to all Insmed team members, regardless of geographic location:

• Flexible approach to how we work
• Health benefits and time-off plans
• Competitive compensation package, including bonus
• Equity Awards (Long-Term Incentives)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Additional Information

Insmed Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from agencies should not be forwarded to Insmed. Insmed will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resumes through this source. Insmed will only pay a fee to agencies if a formal agreement between Insmed and the agency has been established. The Human Resources department is responsible for all recruitment activities; please contact us directly to be considered for a formal agreement.

Insmed is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The application deadline is 12th September 2025.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research

• Industries

  Biotechnology Research and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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