Section Manager, Conjugation and Oligo Design

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Location/Division Specific Information

Olink, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of human disease through proteomics. Olink panels provide innovative, high-quality solutions for human protein biomarker discovery, enabling researchers to measure thousands of proteins simultaneously from just a few microliters of blood. Using highly specific and thoroughly validated assays with a wide dynamic range, Olink’s technology overcomes traditional limitations in protein analysis and supports deeper insights into human biology and disease.

Job description

Are you ready to lead a team developing the conjugation chemistries and oligonucleotide designs that enable the next generation of proteomics platforms?

We are looking for a Section Manager within Platform Solutions to lead our Conjugation and Oligo Design team. The section develops and optimizes conjugation chemistries, and designs oligonucleotide frameworks and sequences that support new platform technologies.

Reporting to the Head of Platform Solutions, you will set the strategy and direction for the section, establish clear priorities, and develop the team’s scientific and technical capabilities. Your team will also predict and characterize oligonucleotide and probe performance, building an understanding of how design and conjugation choices influence assay functionality and robustness.

This role requires strong technical expertise at the interface of oligonucleotide design, bioconjugation, and molecular assay development. You will guide complex scientific decisions and connect the team’s work to the needs of ongoing and future platform development.

This role combines scientific and technical leadership with people leadership, strategic direction, and strong cross-functional collaboration. The role is based in our Uppsala office, reporting to Director Platform Solutions.

A Day in the Life

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of scientists working on conjugation chemistry and oligonucleotide design.
• Set the strategy, goals, and priorities for the section in alignment with Platform Solutions and business needs.
• Guide the development and optimization of new conjugation chemistries .
• Provide technical direction for the design and development of new oligonucleotide frameworks and sequences.
• Establish approaches for predicting and experimentally characterizing oligonucleotide and probe performance.
• Guide investigations into how oligonucleotide design and conjugation properties affect assay performance, specificity, stability, and reproducibility.
• Partner with other Platform Solutions teams to translate platform requirements into clear design objectives and development plans.
• Provide scientific and technical leadership in complex development questions, troubleshooting, and evaluation of new approaches.
• Balance long-term technology and capability development with the priorities and timelines of ongoing platform activities.
• Contribute actively to the Platform Solutions management team.

Education & background

• Academic degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Several years of relevant research and development experience within life science, biotechnology, diagnostics, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing scientific or technical teams.
• Strong technical expertise in oligonucleotide design and molecular assay development, together with a solid understanding of bioconjugation chemistry.
• Experience designing and evaluating oligonucleotide sequences, architectures, or probe systems, with an understanding of hybridization, specificity, and factors affecting performance.
• Relevant experience with technologies in which oligonucleotide design is central to assay functionality, such as proximity extension or proximity ligation assays, molecular barcoding, sequencing-based assays, or related molecular detection platforms.
• Experience combining experimental data with computational or predictive approaches to guide oligonucleotide and probe design is an advantage.
• Experience collaborating across scientific disciplines and organizational boundaries.
• Strong communication skills in English. Swedish is an advantage.

Soft skills

You are a people-focused scientific leader who creates clarity, sets direction, and develops both individuals and technical capabilities. You give experienced scientists the space to take ownership while providing the guidance and support needed to deliver strong results.

You combine a strategic mindset with strong technical credibility. You are comfortable engaging deeply in scientific discussions, challenging assumptions, and helping the team make sound decisions based on evidence. You understand when to provide technical direction and when to enable the team to explore and identify the best solution.

You take a long-term view of technology development while remaining pragmatic about the needs of ongoing platform activities. You translate complex scientific challenges into clear priorities and actionable plans, balancing exploration of new approaches with the need for reliable delivery.

Collaboration is central to how you operate. You build strong relationships across disciplines and functions, communicate scientific opportunities and trade-offs clearly, and connect the section’s work to broader platform and product goals.

Why Join Us?  

At Olink, Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will be part of a nurturing team that values integrity, innovation, and involvement. We offer an encouraging environment where your diverse experiences and perspectives are appreciated, enabling you to thrive and excel in your career. 

The final application date is on the 22nd of November. The position might get filled prior to this date.