Senior​/Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Senior/Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

New York City, New York

Nilo Therapeutics is an early-stage biotech company developing groundbreaking therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Our experienced team brings together diverse interdisciplinary expertise to modulate immune responses via activation of neural circuits. United by our passion for discovering and translating novel biology, we are dedicated to advancing human health through transformative science.

We are backed by The Column Group, Lux, and DCVC Bio.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior/Principal Scientist (Medicinal Chemistry) to join our Pharmaceutical Sciences team. The Senior/Principal Scientist will play a critical role in designing novel small molecules, optimizing drug‑like properties, and effectively managing our CRO partners. This position requires deep hands‑on experience in drug design and CRO management skills within a pharma or biotech environment, with a strong grounding in Medicinal Chemistry.

Ideal candidates will use their scientific acumen and collaborative approach to partner across the interdisciplinary Nilo team on all aspects of the drug discovery process. This is an exciting opportunity to join innovative research projects and make significant contributions to our mission of advancing therapeutic solutions. Leveling and compensation will be commensurate with experience.

At Nilo Therapeutics, we are a dynamic start‑up at the forefront of biotech innovation, driven to discover novel biology and develop new drugs. We seek team members who are inspired by our mission and thrive in a collaborative, rigorous, and entrepreneurial environment. Ideal candidates are self‑motivated, proactive problem solvers, excited to build and grow the company alongside a world‑class team. If you are comfortable with managing multiple projects and possess a resourceful, can‑do attitude, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and contribute to our mission of advancing innovative therapies at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology.

• Lead medicinal chemistry efforts on one or more drug discovery projects in collaboration with cross‑disciplinary teams including biology, DMPK, pharmacology, computational chemistry and structural biology.
• Design novel small molecules to optimize the key interactions with the target protein and apply modern synthetic chemistry approaches to synthesize molecules in collaboration with our CRO.
• Analyze and interpret biology, pharmacology, PK and ADME data to guide compound optimization.
• Work closely with external CROs to manage synthetic efforts and ensure timely compound delivery.
• Mentor junior scientists, contribute to team development, and foster a collaborative, innovative work environment.
• Present findings in internal meetings, project teams, and external meetings as appropriate.
• Contribute to the preparation of patent applications and publications.

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with 5+ years’ experience in Pharma/biotech industry.
• Proven track record of innovative drug discovery and advancing programs toward clinical development.
• Strong expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry and knowledge of drug‑like property optimization.
• Experience with structure‑based drug design and/or computational chemistry tools is desirable.
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment and motivated to make significant contributions for the growth of a high‑paced start‑up.
• Strong publication and/or patent record is a plus.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes a range of benefits designed to support the well‑being and professional growth of our team members. The range for this position is $125,000 - $185,000.

For immediate consideration, please share your cover letter and resume with our hiring team.

Nilo Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.