Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Full-time, hybrid role based in Boston, MA

At Hot Spot Therapeutics, nature is inspiring us to create a wave of new medicines. Through a proprietary technology platform, we are uncovering privileged allosteric sites used by nature to control proteins – called regulatory hotspots – that can be exploited through small molecule drug discovery. Regulatory hotspots are allowing sought-after targets to be drugged for the first time while delivering molecules with exquisite selectivity and attractive drug-like properties.

Hotspot is supported by a syndicate of leading healthcare investors based in the US and Europe. You will be joining a seasoned team of drug hunters with an excellent track record in drug discovery. At Hot Spot, we’re not just looking for the brightest minds or for the most brilliant individual contributors. We want passionate team members who are comfortable adjusting their lens, aren’t afraid to think big, test bold ideas, and celebrate collective wins.

We have established core values that resemble who we are and define our company culture. We are building a company where values drive everything we do inside and outside the organization.

#Courageous Adventurers #Leave your Mark #Keep it Human #Make it Real

Reporting to the Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry, the Director role is a key leadership position within Hot Spot’s drug discovery programs. The successful candidate will co‑lead a discovery program team in close partnership with a lead biologist, driving strategic and scientific direction. This hybrid role, based in Boston’s Seaport District, offers a high degree of flexibility. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead medicinal chemistry efforts in collaboration with biology and cross‑functional partners to advance programs from hit identification through clinical candidate nomination.
• Design new compounds for synthesis.
• Experience in leveraging advanced modeling techniques and utilizing computational tools for structure‑based drug design and lead optimization.
• Manage external chemistry resources (CROs), including oversight of synthesis activities, timelines, and scientific direction to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Work with a matrixed team in computational chemistry/ADME/pharmacology/process chemistry to deliver high‑quality output.
• Present key data, conclusions, and recommendations to project teams and senior management effectively and concisely; support preparation of board and business development materials.

• Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry and a minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in small molecule drug discovery within pharmaceutical and/or biotech setting.
• Previous experience in chemical methodology and/or total synthesis.
• Driven, self‑motivated, and proactive; able to independently identify objectives, design strategies, and execute plans to achieve goals.
• Effective mentor and communicator; able to lead scientific discussions and influence project direction within a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Comfortable working within distributed team model including use of Zoom or other video‑conference tools.
• Ability to integrate data/input from different sources and team members.
• Deep expertise in synthetic chemistry and structure‑based drug design.
• Experience leading medicinal chemistry efforts within cross‑functional discovery teams.
• Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications and/or patent filings.

• Competitive salary and bonus plans
• Comprehensive package of benefits plans and fringe benefits
• Generous paid holidays, time off, including company‑wide shutdowns
• Amazing team of supportive colleagues

At Hot Spot, we have a bold mission to establish a new drug discovery paradigm.

Hot Spot is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At this time, Hot Spot is not able to offer Visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.