Sr. Peptide Therapeutics Medicinal Chemist, Associate Director | Director

Dayra is pioneering the development of oral macrocyclic peptide therapeutics to treat a range of human diseases. The company combines its state-of-the-art macrocycle discovery science with computational design and modeling to advance novel macrocyclic peptides that selectively target high value disease-relevant proteins. Dayra was founded in 2024 by Versant Ventures through the firm’s Frontier Discovery Engine.

Dayra partners with exceptional entrepreneurs, world-leading academic founders, and industry leaders to translate breakthrough science into high-impact medicines. Based in Boston, Dayra houses a multidisciplinary team of drug hunters who work hands-on to drive our high impact pipeline. For additional information, please visit

Job role

• Design and optimize macrocyclic peptide therapeutics from screening to development candidate.
• Work cross-functionally with the molecule discovery team, biochemistry, structural biology, DMPK and biology to design therapeutic molecules.
• Implement structure-based and computational-based drug design to optimize peptide therapeutics.
• Prioritize and execute synthesis, manage relationships with outside partners.
• Develop and maintain external network of peptide therapeutics collaborators and connections.
• Lead program teams and serve as medicinal chemistry lead from project inception concept through development candidate nomination.
• Lead and represent programs in the Dayra pipeline, and with current and future partners.

Qualifications

• Education:
  
  BS, MS or PhD in peptide chemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a closely related field.
• Experience:
  
  15 years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with a track record of advancing molecules from hit to development candidate selection.
• Demonstrated expertise in peptide medicinal chemistry, analyzing data, designing molecules and implementing synthesis to optimize for oral delivery.
• Experience utilizing peptide informatics tools for SAR exploration.
• Experience with machine learning and AI-approaches in peptide drug discovery.
• Experience leading and managing teams of external chemists.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to lead, collaborate and navigate in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with a passion for developing new technologies.