Senior Associate Scientist I/II, Purification Sciences
Iambic Therapeutics
San Diego, CA · $88k–$110k a year · Posted September 9, 2026
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Where San Diego, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Cities hosting the most business conferences in the West Coast78 conferences · of 17
- #2Cities hosting the most human resources conferences6 conferences · of 10
- #3Best cities for life sciences and biotech jobs454 openings · of 41
- #3Best cities for aerospace and defense jobs377 openings · of 67
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How AI is used in this kind of work
Among biological scientists, all other, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for biological scientists, all other: 25% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Senior Associate Scientist I/II, Purification Sciences to support small-molecule drug discovery. This individual will perform chromatography-based purification, with a focus on preparative LC and preparative SFC, supporting medicinal chemistry and high-throughput chemistry efforts.
The ideal candidate will have practical laboratory experience with chromatographic purification and a strong interest in developing expertise in separation science, instrumentation, and high-throughput purification workflows. Experience with instrument maintenance and troubleshooting is highly desirable. This position will be based in our San Diego Headquarters.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform routine and moderately complex small-molecule purification using preparative LC and SFC, supporting medicinal chemistry and high-throughput chemistry workflows.
- Develop and optimize purification methods, including column/mobile-phase selection, gradients, sample loading, and fraction collection.
- Operate prep LC, prep SFC, analytical LC, and LC/MS systems and perform analytical QC of purified compounds.
- Perform routine instrument maintenance and troubleshoot common chromatography, fluidics, hardware, and software issues.
- Monitor instrument performance and proactively identify issues to maintain reliable laboratory operations and minimize downtime.
- Support high-throughput and automated purification workflows, including sample submission, purification, fraction handling, compound recovery, and data reporting.
- Work closely with medicinal chemists and other scientists to prioritize samples and deliver purified compounds with appropriate purity, recovery, and turnaround time.
- Support evaluation and implementation of new purification methods, columns, instrumentation, and workflow improvements.
- Maintain accurate experimental and instrument documentation and contribute to laboratory best practices.
QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline with 3+ years of experience
- Relevant hands-on laboratory experience in chromatography and small-molecule purification; level will be determined based on experience and demonstrated technical capabilities.
- Working knowledge of chromatographic separation principles and method optimization.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with preparative LC and/or preparative SFC is strongly preferred; SFC experience is highly desirable.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting chromatography instrumentation is strongly preferred.
- Experience with LC/MS-based characterization and purity assessment is desirable.
- Experience with automated or high-throughput laboratory workflows is desirable.
- Experience with Agilent, Shimadzu, SCIEX, or comparable platforms is a plus.
ABOUT IAMBIC THERAPEUTICS Iambic Therapeutics (Nasdaq: IAM) is a technology and clinical-stage life sciences company headquartered in San Diego. By utilizing molecular superintelligence — integrating proprietary AI with automated, scalable chemistry and biology experimentation — our platform is designed to address the totality of drug discovery and development. At Iambic, we are building an engine that is designed to power the future of medicine. Learn more at iambic.ai http://iambic.ai.
MISSION & VALUES Our mission is to make better technology for better medicines. Three values guide how we work:
- Bold. We are courageous, take thoughtful risks, and approach challenges with tenacity.
- Innovative. We are creative and find new solutions that deliver impact.
- Collaborative. We respect one another and partner with integrity.
We value the range of perspectives our people bring, and we work to build an environment where every team member can contribute and grow.
PAY AND BENEFITS The pay range for this role is listed above. Actual pay depends on factors including experience, skills, and location. Eligible employees in the U.S. receive company-paid medical coverage, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401(k) matching and flexible time off. We are in a brand-new state-of-the art facility in beautiful San Diego with a community gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Iambic is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.