Computational Chemistry​/CADD; Level: Principal Scientist to Director

About us

Ridgeline Discovery, a Versant Ventures Discovery Engine, creates and operates Versant-financed innovative biotech companies in partnership with entrepreneurs, industry, and leading academics across Europe. In recent years, Ridgeline has assembled an international team of >50 highly experienced drug discovery and industry professionals and built and operated multiple new successful companies; these companies have raised significant funds through Series B, IPO and an exit through a trade sale.

We are currently looking for a highly motivated Principal Scientist/Director (level based on previous experience) responsible for Computational Chemistry /CADD, Cheminformatics and AI/ML platforms at Ridgeline to support several Ridgeline Discovery portfolio companies focused in small molecules.

• Help define and implement Ridgeline's computational chemistry, cheminformatics and AI-enabled drug discovery strategy across multiple portfolio companies.
• Apply state-of-the-art computational approaches to support hit identification, lead optimization and candidate nomination activities.
• Provide computational solutions for project needs and guide ligand-based design, scaffold hopping, conformational analysis, library design, multi-property optimization scoring functions, SAR analysis and data visualization.
• Drive the modeling of RNA-binding protein modulators
• Collaborate with Biology, DMPK and Medicinal Chemistry project leads to accelerate the discovery and development of smal molecules and peptides.
• Leverage expertise to advance chemical series across multiple disease projects and stages (incl. lead , LO and DC nomination).
• Support portfolio prioritization and strategic decision-making through data-driven computational insights.
• Effectively present data to a wide range of audiences at local, external, and global meetings.
• Serve as a representative of the company by positive and productive interactions with external partners (such as CROs) and collaborators.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments and engage with global research, industry, and standards development communities to identify and implement new AI/ML technologies and best practices.

The successful candidate will have extensive hands‑on experience in CADD, structure-based drug design, molecular docking and cheminformatics
. Experience with RNA‑targeted drug discovery or RNA‑binding protein modulators would be considered a strong advantage. Exposure to additional therapeutic modalities (e.g. peptides, biologics, targeted therapeutics or ADCs) would be considered an advantage, reflecting the breadth of Ridgeline's portfolio.

She/he will be a highly motivated and enthusiastic team player with strong organizational skills, eager to deliver computational solutions to small molecule discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas. Based on the experience, the individual could have the possibility to lead a small chemo and bio‑informatic team. This Basel based position offers a tremendous opportunity to support our portfolio companies in a highly experienced, vibrant, and agile biotech environment.

• You have a PhD in computational chemistry with >10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry working on small molecules and preferably others.
• Non‑PhD level with outstanding relevant experience will also be considered.
• You have a track record of successfully delivering modeling solutions to drug discovery projects at all stages of development.
• Experience supporting multiple drug discovery programs and working within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams is strongly preferred.
• Experience applying AI/ML methodologies to drug discovery is highly desirable.
• You are a highly skilled scientist in the art of CADD/chemoinformatics with proficiency in all the related tools, packages and methods incl. Schrodinger/MOE, RDKit etc.
• Demonstrated ability to influence project strategy and decision‑making through computational insights.
• Hands‑on expertise in structure‑based drug design approaches, and tools as well as cheminformatics, and data analytics/visualization
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build…