Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to join our Oligonucleotide Biology team within discovery/early research. Supported by strong financial backing and an expanding therapeutic pipeline, our company is entering a phase of steady, well-funded growth. This rapid scaling provides significant opportunities for professional advancement and career development as our internal teams expand.

In this role, you will drive the design, in vitro screening, and optimization of our oligonucleotide pipeline, spanning multiple modalities including siRNA, ASOs, and PMOs. The ideal candidate will combine strong hands-on bench science with strategic external research management (CROs) to advance our therapeutic candidates from discovery toward lead nomination, playing a key role in shaping both our platform and your own professional trajectory.

Responsibilities

·         Research & Execution: Design molecular and cellular biology experiments in close collaboration with internal bioinformatics and chemistry teams to support robust in vitro and in vivo screening campaigns. Oversee execution of these assays with CRO.

·         CRO Management: Manage external CROs, including experimental design, priority setting, technical oversight, data review, timeline management, and proactive troubleshooting to ensure high-quality, timely project execution.

·         Modality Design & Optimization: Design and optimize siRNAs, ASOs, PMOs, and other novel nucleotide modalities to enhance therapeutic profiles.

·         SAR Generation: Generate and interpret structure-activity relationships (SAR) to guide lead optimization and candidate selection.

·         Documentation & Communication: Maintain thorough technical documentation using Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) and effectively communicate experimental strategies, results, and recommendations to multidisciplinary scientific audiences.

·         Innovation & Tech Evaluation: Actively evaluate emerging technologies and scientific literature to identify innovative approaches that enhance oligonucleotide potency, extrahepatic delivery, durability, and safety.

Education & Experience

·         Ph.D. in biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related discipline with 0-3 years of relevant industry experience, OR M.S. with 2-5 years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutic development.

·         Deep understanding of siRNA and ASO design principles, cellular mechanisms of action, and chemical modification strategies.

·         Familiarity with state-of-the-art oligonucleotide delivery technologies, including GalNAc conjugates, lipid conjugates, peptide/antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), or other targeted delivery methods.

·         Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, diverse transfection methodologies.

Skills & Attributes

·         Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate seamlessly across cross-functional teams and therapeutic areas.

·         Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams. 

·         Demonstrated ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, fast-paced, and highly interdisciplinary research environment. 

·         Passion for advancing transformative nucleic acid medicines through innovative chemistry and rigorous scientific execution. 

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $115,000 - $140,000. This role may also be eligible for a target annual bonus and equity-based compensation, as well as participation in the company’s benefit programs. Actual compensation will depend on several factors, which may include, but are not limited to relevant years of experience, educational background, and geography.

Korsana Biosciences is the seventh groundbreaking company launched by Paragon Therapeutics, a premier biotech incubator founded by Fairmount Funds in 2021, known for its expertise in discovering and developing cutting-edge therapeutic assets in-house.

Korsana Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

About Us 

Korsana Biosciences is a private biopharmaceutical company advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.  In partnership with Paragon Therapeutics, we have developed Therapeutic Targeting (THETA™), a novel blood-brain barrier-penetrant shuttle platform designed to enable dramatically higher drug concentration inside the brain and overcome the limitations of earlier shuttle technologies. Our lead program is KRSA-028, an investigational, shuttled antibody targeting amyloid beta designed to be a best-in-class treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Our mission is to advance precision-engineered therapies, designed to address some of the biggest unmet needs in medicine. For more information, please visit www.korsana.com