Principal Research Scientist - Medicinal Chemist

Your Role

As a Principal Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry, you will guide the design and synthesis of innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of animals. You will partner with a global, cross-functional team of scientists to advance multiple therapeutic programs from lead generation to development candidate selection.

Responsibilities

• Guide the design and optimization of novel small molecules by applying advanced synthetic strategies and integrating biological, pharmacological, and ADME/PK data to manage Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) campaigns.
• Serve as a key medicinal chemistry figure on multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating with partners in Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, and Computational Sciences to strategically advance discovery programs.
• Manage and coordinate synthetic chemistry efforts with external Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and internal partners, ensuring the efficient execution of project goals and timelines.
• Leverage cutting-edge drug discovery technologies, including DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), computational chemistry, and AI/ML-enabled tools, to accelerate hit identification and lead optimization.
• Promote scientific excellence and data integrity while providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Requirements

• Education: PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience: A minimum of 6 years of relevant industry experience in medicinal chemistry within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or animal health research environment.
• Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, including the design and multi-step synthesis of complex small molecules, and a strong understanding of Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR), pharmacology, and ADME/PK principles.
• Proven ability to autonomously manage scientific initiatives within a cross-functional team and manage external collaborations with CROs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral experience.
• Experience applying modern drug discovery technologies such as DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), computational chemistry, or AI/ML-enabled molecular design.
• A strong track record of advancing small-molecule discovery programs toward preclinical development, evidenced by significant patent and/or publication contributions.
• Prior research experience in the animal health industry.
• Expertise in peptide chemistry, macrocycles, or related drug modalities.