Solid-phase synthesis specialist

Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins play a fundamental role in genetic transmission and also have important functions in cells. Since the end of the 20th century it has been possible to prepare smaller molecules in the laboratory. These are known as oligonucleotides or peptides, depending on which macromolecule they derive from. Oligonucleotides can be used for medical diagnosis and at some point in the future it will be possible to use them as treatments, since they are able to penetrate infected or mutated cells, reducing or inducing changes in gene expression for a certain period of time. In the medium-term, peptides not only represent one of the most interesting therapeutic methods available, but can also serve as the platform for innovative and intelligent systems for carrying and releasing other medicine into the bloodstream. What both types of molecules have in common is that they are usually synthesises and produced using the solid-phase methodology, as well as their more recent biotechnological applications. Specialists in the synthesis of these compounds mainly hail from research centres and are responsible for desinging, planning and implementing strategies to help laboratories identify, isolate or synthesis peptides and oligonucleotides. This knowledge is applied in the design of sampling procedures, a chemical process linked to the development of new medicine. Communication with the development team is vital in order to make effective decisions as to the scaling of the process and its impact on production in the relevant batches.

• Design, synthesise and purify peptides and oligonucleotides from milligrams to grams in a good laboratory practices environment.
• Take responsibility for the scaling of the process and the production of oligonucleotides and peptides in a good manufacturing practices environment.
• Control the operational aspects of all of the equipment involved in the process.
• Record any incidents in the production and perform regulation compliance studies.
• Analyse raw materials received at the laboratory.
• Study the steps prior to the synthesis and the subsequent purification.
• Record synthesis methods in the relevant protocols, producing and maintaining internal standardised working procedures, detailing their specifications.
• Perform quality controls on the product batch before it is sent on to the following stage.

Regulated training and graduates

• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Health - Advanced Level: Image diagnosis and nuclear medicine
• Grau: Bioquímica
• Grau: Bioquímica i biologia molecular
• Grau: Biotecnologia
• Grau: Química
• Grau: Enginyeria química
• Grau: Farmàcia

Complementary training

• Knowledge of solid-phase products, product library production and biotechnology.
• Knowledge of organic chemistry and characterisation and purification techniques, such as electrophoresis and the various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics and molecular modelling.
• Knowledge of clinical trials and data analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of the good manufacturing and good laboratory practices.

Other specific skills

• Experience handling scientific instruments.
• High level of English.
• Sound user-level IT skills, particularly with word processors and spreadsheets.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 1

Analytical thought: Level 2

Conceptual thought: Level 3

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Pharmaceutical chemist

Computational chemistry technician

Chemical synthesis and scaling specialist

Drug development technician.

Chemical Laboratory Technician

• Work hours

  Intensive or split-shift. The manufacturing of peptides and oligonucleotides is normally carried out in batches and is often done automatically, which means that the process does not have to be controlled as exhaustively as in other cases. In addition, these professionals are normally responsible for the development aspect and for launching the process, rather than monitoring the production.

• Salary

  The starting salary ranges from around 17.228 to 24.291 euros per annum gross, depending on experience and the size of the company. Median: 20.457 euros annum gross. It may be higher depending on the products dealt with and the responsibility acquired within the company's structure.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician