Scientist I/Ii - Synthetic Chemistry

With extensive experience in developing biologics and bioconjugates, we offer a seamless service delivered by fully integrated teams, from early discovery to commercial manufacturing.

Forward-thinking and committed, we find the best solution and use the right technologies to design, develop and manufacture your products to ensure we get vital medicines to patients quickly and safely.

We are dedicated to quality excellence. We are driven to get better treatments to market, efficiently and responsibly by reducing timelines and delivering the highest quality products and services.

We are Abzena. More than a CDMO, we are a responsible and dedicated partner that takes care of your products from concept to patient.

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Synthetic Chemist to join our dynamic Bioconjugation Chemistry group based in Cambridge (UK) as Scientist I/II. In this role, you will be in charge of the synthesis and optimisation of various linker-payloads, working together with Bioconjugation Scientists to deliver complex bioconjugates for client projects.

Abzena is a Partner Research Organisation (PRO) providing the most complete set of solutions in integrated early discovery to mid-phase biotherapeutics and ADCs drug development services in the pharmaceutical industry. Working on a diverse range of drug types from antibodies, fusion proteins and bioconjugates, Abzena supports the development and manufacture of better treatments for patients. As a testimony of its outstanding expertise and quality of its services in bioconjugates early development,

Abzena has won multiple World ADC Awards over the years. The Bioconjugation Chemistry Group in Abzena Cambridge (UK) provides Synthetic Chemistry and conjugation solutions to support partner antibody drug conjugate (ADC), oligonucleotide conjugate and other bioconjugate development programs. Using building blocks and late-stage intermediates for rapid synthesis of linker-payloads and established conjugation chemistries as well as its next-generation conjugation platform ThioBridge® with access to a wide range of cargo’s, we design and produce complex linker-payloads and ADCs evaluated with support from the

Design and Developability Groups for lead candidate selection.

Ideally, you will have an MSc or BSc in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry or a related science discipline and at least 6 months practical experience of multi-step Synthetic Chemistry, preferentially gained in an industrial environment. Relevant skills required include a strong knowledge of organic chemistry and reactions mechanisms, ability to design synthetic routes, practical experience with organic chemistry techniques, including purification using automated systems (Gilson and Reveleris flash chromatography and preparative HPLC), and with analytical characterisation techniques, including column chromatography (RP-HPLC), LC-MS and NMR. Practical experience with linker-payloads synthesis would be an advantage. As a confident IT user, you will be familiar with MS Office, and specialist software including Chromeleon, Unify, MassLynx, ChemDraw and Reaxys.

You will be able to work both independently and as part of a team, have good planning and organising skills. In addition, you will have a high level of attention to detail and be able to identify and analyse and resolve routine problems. You will demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, keeping team and management informed. You will be flexible and adaptable with a positive approach to change.

In return, we can offer you a competitive salary and benefits package and a collaborative, varied and challenging environment where you will be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone and develop your career.