Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Responsibilities

• Lead hit-to-lead optimization of screening hits, improving potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET.
• Apply structure-based and data-driven design, incorporating ternary complex structural data where relevant.
• Design and synthesize novel molecules to test mechanistic hypotheses, including cooperativity-driven SAR for molecular glue chemotypes.
• Design and implement screening cascades tailored to molecular glue pharmacology.
• Direct internal and external medicinal chemistry resources, including CRO relationships, to keep programs aligned with strategy and timelines.
• Maintain a strong safety culture and efficient lab operations.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related Chemistry field with 8+ years of relevant experience in small molecule drug discovery; MS with 10+ years; or BS with 12+ years.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and structure- and mechanism-based molecular design.
• Direct experience designing or optimizing molecular glue degraders, including protein–protein interface engagement, E3 ligase biology, and neosubstrate identification.
• Demonstrated leadership as a chemistry lead on programs of any mechanism—ideally including a molecular glue program—that reached candidate selection.
• Track record of scientific contributions through publications, patents, or external presentations.
• Experience managing or collaborating with external chemistry teams and CROs.
• Experience with novel modalities, such as targeted protein degradation and covalent chemistry, and biophysical techniques to mechanistically understand molecular glue SAR.
• Familiarity with computational drug design tools (e.g., LiveDesign, MOE, Maestro) and AI-enabled chemistry tools.
• Self-driven, with a growth mindset and adaptability to fast-evolving science.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary, matrixed environments.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related Chemistry field with 8+ years of relevant experience in small molecule drug discovery; MS with 10+ years; or BS with 12+ years.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and structure- and mechanism-based molecular design.
• Direct experience designing or optimizing molecular glue degraders, including protein–protein interface engagement, E3 ligase biology, and neosubstrate identification.
• Demonstrated leadership as a chemistry lead on programs of any mechanism—ideally including a molecular glue program—that reached candidate selection.
• Track record of scientific contributions through publications, patents, or external presentations.
• Experience managing or collaborating with external chemistry teams and CROs.
• Experience with novel modalities, such as targeted protein degradation and covalent chemistry, and biophysical techniques to mechanistically understand molecular glue SAR.
• Familiarity with computational drug design tools (e.g., LiveDesign, MOE, Maestro) and AI-enabled chemistry tools.
• Self-driven, with a growth mindset and adaptability to fast-evolving science.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary, matrixed environments.

Skills

• Hands-on medicinal chemistry expertise.
• Interpersonal and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Structure-based and data-driven design.
• Design and synthesis of novel molecules.
• Screening cascade design.
• Collaboration with external teams and CROs.
• Experience with novel modalities and biophysical techniques.
• Computational drug design tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit program including 401(k), pension, vacation benefits, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits, flexible benefits, life insurance, death benefits, time off and leave of absence benefits, and well-being benefits.
• Company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).

Pay

$163,500 - $257,400

Schedule

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).