Summer Intern, CMC Small Scale Process Development

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARWR) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Position

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is seeking a motivated CMC Small Scale Process Development Intern to support the development of scalable conjugation processes for an upcoming RNA therapeutic program. The intern’s project will focus on optimizing the conjugation of a small molecule to the terminus of an RNA sense strand, with the goal of establishing a robust, manufacturable process.

Through investigation of reaction conditions, tangential flow filtration (TFF) work-up, and isolation strategies, the intern will generate data to support process optimization and potential transfer to Manufacturing. Time permitting, the intern will also study the mechanism of a known impurity observed in related programs to better understand and mitigate its formation.

This is an 11-week Summer Internship Program paying $21.00 per hour and requires full-time, onsite work five days per week at the designated location.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Process Development scientists to develop and execute reaction and work-up conditions for RNA–small molecule conjugation suitable for manufacturing.

• Perform synthesis, isolation, purification, and characterization of small molecules and oligonucleotide conjugates.

• Investigate and optimize conjugation parameters, including reaction conditions, TFF-based work-up, and isolation strategies, to improve yield, purity, and scalability.

• Perform synthesis of the small-molecule conjugation partner.

• Analyze small molecules and oligonucleotide conjugates using standard analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, HPLC, mass spectrometry).

• Investigate the formation mechanism of a known impurity, as time allows, to inform process controls and impurity mitigation strategies.

• Maintain clear, accurate, and well-documented laboratory notebooks.

• Prepare and present project findings to team members at the conclusion of the internship.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled student at an accredited university or college.

• Major in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.

• Completion of college-level organic chemistry laboratory coursework by Summer 2026.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

• Strong interest in learning new laboratory techniques and process development concepts.

• Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established safety procedures.

Preferred

• Student entering junior or senior year of undergraduate study.

• Prior research experience in an academic or industrial laboratory, preferably in organic synthesis or medicinal chemistry.

• Experience with analytical characterization techniques such as NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry.

• Familiarity with oligonucleotide chemistry or bioconjugation is a plus.

Wisconsin pay range
$9,240—$9,240 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.

All applicants must have authorization to work in the US for a company.

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