Senior Scientist, Chemistry

The discovery chemistry team at Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Sr. Scientist for a full-time synthetic chemist position. The individual will be responsible for synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides and other organic molecules within our multi-disciplinary drug discovery team. The individual supports multiple research programs, and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills. This individual will report to the Director of Chemistry.

Key responsibilities:

• Synthesis of peptides in a highly efficient manner by either solution phase or manual/automated solid phase synthesis to support peptide drug discovery programs
• Provide synthetic chemistry expertise and support cross-functional activities; troubleshoot and solve synthetic problems to improve yields and efficiency
• Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including synthetic, analytical protocols and data reports
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, communicate results and data to the team through presentations or other formats in a timely manner
• Work with external CROs for outsourcing activities including unnatural amino acids and peptide synthesis
• Organize the lab, maintain instruments, reagents, supplies in daily operations and follow EH&S rules and regulations

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry with post-graduate organic synthesis experience 5+ years of post-graduate organic synthesis experience
• Proficiency in organic synthesis; experience in peptide synthesis is a plus
• Proficiency with analytical HPLC, LC-MS, preparative HPLC; experience with automated peptide synthesizer is a plus
• Experience with electronic notebook, Spotfire and other data management and software is a plus
• Excellent time management skills, organizational skills, highly efficient in the lab, adjust work priorities per project needs, and record experiments in an electronic lab notebook in a timely manner
• Ability to develop new skillsets and knowledge is highly desirable
• Work independently with limited guidance and multi-tasking are crucial for success
• Ability to collaborate within the team and cross-function in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $150K and $175K / year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery through late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Two novel peptides, icotrokinra and rusfertide, derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are currently in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with New Drug Application submissions to the FDA expected in 2025. Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113) is a first-in-class investigational targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor ("IL-23R") which is licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. Following icotrokinra's joint discovery by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists pursuant to the companies' IL-23R collaboration, Protagonist was primarily responsible for development of icotrokinra through Phase 1, with Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for development in Phase 2 and beyond. Rusfertide, a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is currently in Phase 3 development for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera (PV). Rusfertide is being co-developed and will be co-commercialized with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement entered into in 2024 under which the Company remains primarily responsible for development through NDA filing. The Company also has a number of pre-clinical stage oral drug discovery programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including the IL-17 oral peptide antagonist PN-881, an oral hepcidin program, and an oral obesity program.

The discovery chemistry team at Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Sr. Scientist for a full-time synthetic chemist position. The individual will be responsible for synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides and other organic molecules within our multi-disciplinary drug discovery team. The individual supports multiple research programs, and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills. This individual will report to the Director of Chemistry.

Key responsibilities:

Synthesis of peptides in a highly efficient manner by either solution phase or manual/automated solid phase synthesis to support peptide drug discovery programs

Provide synthetic chemistry expertise and support cross-functional activities; troubleshoot and solve synthetic problems to improve yields and efficiency

Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including synthetic, analytical protocols and data reports

Analyze, interpret, summarize, communicate results and data to the team through presentations or other formats in a timely manner

Work with external CROs for outsourcing activities including unnatural amino acids and peptide synthesis

Organize the lab, maintain instruments, reagents, supplies in daily operations and follow EH&S rules and regulations

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry with post-graduate organic synthesis experience 5+ years of post-graduate organic synthesis experience
• Proficiency in organic synthesis; experience in peptide synthesis is a plus
• Proficiency with analytical HPLC, LC-MS, preparative HPLC; experience with automated peptide synthesizer is a plus
• Experience with electronic notebook, Spotfire and other data management and software is a plus
• Excellent time management skills, organizational skills, highly efficient in the lab, adjust work priorities per project needs, and record experiments in an electronic lab notebook in a timely manner
• Ability to develop new skillsets and knowledge is highly desirable
• Work independently with limited guidance and multi-tasking are crucial for success
• Ability to collaborate within the team and cross-function in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $150K and $175K / year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery through late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Two novel peptides, icotrokinra and rusfertide, derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are currently in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with New Drug Application submissions to the FDA expected in 2025. Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113) is a first-in-class investigational targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor ("IL-23R") which is licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. Following icotrokinra's joint discovery by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists pursuant to the companies' IL-23R collaboration, Protagonist was primarily responsible for development of icotrokinra through Phase 1, with Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for development in Phase 2 and beyond. Rusfertide, a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is currently in Phase 3 development for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera (PV). Rusfertide is being co-developed and will be co-commercialized with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement entered into in 2024 under which the Company remains primarily responsible for development through NDA filing. The Company also has a number of pre-clinical stage oral drug discovery programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including the IL-17 oral peptide antagonist PN-881, an oral hepcidin program, and an oral obesity program.