Cogent Scientific, an insourced contract research organization, is looking for the right people to accomplish our Mission: to support the life sciences industry by cultivating and empowering exceptional scientists to deliver specialized laboratory services that advance research, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation through quality and a shared commitment to excellence. We can offer you the chance to build on your skills and knowledge while working among experts in their fields and with cutting-edge instrumentation.
Cogent Scientific offers competitive pay, attractive benefits (such as medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); parental leave; PTO and paid holidays; etc.) and an exciting work environment. This position may include relocation benefits as well. We aim to recruit the best people who stand out among their peers and embody our Core Values:
Client Focused: We only succeed when our clients succeed.
Outstanding: We deliver meticulous results through outstanding performance.
Good: We act ethically and morally.
Employee-Centric: We honor and support our employees.
Nimble: We are prepared to adapt in an ever-changing industry.
Team-Oriented: We collaborate with each other and with our clients.
We currently have a role available for a Large Molecule Scientific Lead.
Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Designing and executing antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) linker Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies to optimize stability, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance, payload release, and circulation stability.
- Developing innovative linker designs and strategies to address limitations in existing ADC platforms.
- Evaluating linker compatibility with diverse payload classes, including small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides and Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs).
- Exploring linker applications in conjugates beyond antibodies to include novel delivery molecules.
- Collaborating with internal and external teams in chemistry, biology, and analytics to advance conjugation strategies.
- Contributing to troubleshooting and problem-solving in conjugation workflows and project execution.
Job requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- BS-Chemistry, Biochemisry or a related field with 10+ years of drug development process experience, specifically with antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and other bioconjugation modalities.
- MS/PhD with 3+ years of above referenced experience preferred.
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
- Works well both as a team and as an individual.
- Demonstration of excellent team player skills, very strong attention to detail, very strong problem-solving skills, a high level of learning agility, and the ability to work across functions. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the leadership and communication skills necessary to operate effectively in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment with flexibility and an adaptable approach to goal delivery.
This is a day shift position (approx. 8a-5p local time).
Cogent Scientific provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate based on any legally protected characteristic.
Additionally, if you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.
This job posting will remain open until 8/10/2026 or until a qualified candidate has been selected, whichever comes first.
Skills Required
- BS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with 10+ years drug development experience, specifically with ADCs and bioconjugation modalities
- MS or PhD with 3+ years of ADC/bioconjugation experience
- Experience designing and executing ADC linker Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies
- Experience evaluating linker compatibility with diverse payload classes including small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and PROTACs
- Demonstrated ability to develop innovative linker designs and conjugation strategies
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams; cross-functional collaboration experience
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, learning agility, and leadership capability in fast-paced environments
What We Do
The pharmaceutical and biotech industries experienced a tremendous amount of change this past decade. For companies to remain relevant and competitive, they must respond quickly and effectively to the unique challenges they face. Our company was started to assist companies in navigating these hurdles. Cogent has earned a reputation for reliability regarding our partnership to our clients. We believe that the key to maintaining that commitment is attracting and retaining good people to be part of our team. Our commitment to our clients is intertwined with our commitment to our employees. Cogent employs talented individuals who also bring a positive, team oriented approach to the tasks at hand. Each day, our people demonstrate their motivation and initiative to make things simple and to innovate while being empowered by the drive to make the right decisions. This passion for excellence means our customers trust our partnership and employees choose to join – and stay with – Cogent Scientific.
