Head of Chemistry, Drug Design, Cambridge, MA

Isomorphic Labs is applying frontier AI to help unlock deeper scientific insights, faster breakthroughs, and life‑changing medicines with an ambition to solve all disease.

The future is coming. A future enabled and enriched by the incredible power of machine learning, in which diseases are curtailed or cured starting with better and faster drug discovery.

Come and be part of an interdisciplinary team driving groundbreaking innovation and play a meaningful role in contributing toward achieving our ambitious goals, while being part of an inspiring and collaborative culture.

The world we want tomorrow is the one we’re building today. It starts with the culture at this company. It starts with you.

Isomorphic Labs (Iso Labs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning Alpha Fold system. Since then, our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed. We pursue a world‑leading drug design engine capable across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities, continually innovating on model architecture to advance rational drug design.

We are building a dynamic team of Medicinal Chemists in Cambridge, MA, to transform how drugs are designed. By partnering deeply with our AI/ML colleagues, we shape the drug design engine, using our domain expertise to challenge and refine algorithms in a collaborative, growth‑mindset environment.

As part of our expansion to Cambridge, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Chemistry to guide the Medicinal Chemistry team toward clinical candidate nomination. The role provides scientific leadership, mentors chemists, and collaborates with AI/ML, biology, and pre‑clinical teams to accelerate progress to the clinic.

• Apply your knowledge and track record of modern drug design & discovery principles to deliver our Drug Design portfolio, either directly as a Chemistry or Project Lead or indirectly, strategically guiding other Chemistry Leads.
• Provide direct line management for a growing team of Medicinal Chemists, setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional development in a high‑performance environment.
• Provide strategic input and technical direction to our AI/ML platform teams.
• Collaborate internally and with third‑party organizations to support data‑driven delivery of high quality scientific solutions to complex technical problems.
• Represent the company externally, interacting with existing and prospective collaborators and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
• Effectively manage CRO resources and monitor KPIs to maintain delivery.
• Prepare detailed scientific proposals and reports to support new and ongoing programs.
• Embrace and champion our culture of inclusion and continuous professional development.

• PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or a related technical field, or equivalent industrial experience.
• 10+ years of industrial experience in pharma/biotech/CRO setting with a solid foundation in medicinal chemistry.
• Proven track record of leading medicinal chemistry efforts on drug discovery projects, from Hit Identification to Lead Optimization/Candidate Nomination, including Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) optimization.
• Experience in line management, mentorship, and developing scientific talent.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities for complex drug discovery challenges.
• Experience working with and closely managing CRO resources.
• Strong track record of scientific achievement evidenced by publications, patents, and presentations.
• Genuine passion for drug discovery and enthusiasm for the potential of AI/ML to transform the field.

• Experience applying fragment‑based drug design approaches.

It’s hugely important for us to share knowledge and build strong relationships with each other, and we find it easier to do this if we spend time together in person. We follow a hybrid model and require you to be able to come into the office 3 days a week (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, and one other day depending on the team).

If you have additional needs preventing you from this hybrid approach, we’ll be happy to discuss alternatives if you are selected for an initial screening call.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please let us know.