Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Who We Are

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life‑changing treatments for patients with under‑addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA‑approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader‑Willi syndrome, endometriosis
* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid‑ to late‑phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science.

For more information, visit , and follow the company on Linked In, X, Facebook and You Tube. (
* in collaboration with Abb Vie)

Responsible for devising the medicinal chemistry strategy on projects. Leads or co‑leads multidisciplinary project teams to advance discovery programs to key milestones. Provides expertise in medicinal chemistry principles, complex small molecule synthesis, purification, and data analysis across multiple projects and outside of direct team. Supervises and mentors both internal direct reports and external CROs towards hypothesis driven chemistry strategies as well as mentoring and influencing chemistry outside of direct group.

Monitors and evaluates completion of tasks and projects.

• Leads projects and initiatives in the rapid optimization of lead molecules utilizing modern technology available to medicinal chemists such as automated synthesis and purification and novel chemistry
• Distills complicated, multidimensional data to clear hypotheses and new experimental directions
• Imports new principles/concepts to develop useful new experimental approaches
• Researches external intellectual property relevant to project(s) and areas of pursuit and collaborates with internal IP team to plan patent strategy
• Contributes substantively to patent and publication preparation and planning
• Responsible for designing, planning, and conducting synthesis of analogs and analog libraries
• Participates in a multidisciplinary team committed to the continuous improvement of the lead optimization process as well as the expeditious identification and progression of development compounds as well communicating results to the project or program team, or to management
• Plans and manages projects.
• Represents Medicinal Chemistry on cross‑functional teams and may lead cross‑functional teams.
• Maintains accountability for deliverables and progress for projects as well as development of internal teams
• Independently designs, plans and executes activities towards the goals of one or more Medicinal Chemistry projects to support lead generation through pre‑clinical activities
• Creates and implements novel ideas in Medicinal Chemistry
• Provides effective supervision of lab work and lab personnel and guidance for their professional development as well as ensuring safe laboratory practices
• Builds and enhances internal and external professional relationships and collaborations
• Other duties as assigned

• BS/BA in Chemistry AND 12+ years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery OR MS/MA in Chemistry AND 10+ years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery OR PhD or equivalent in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry AND 8+ years of relevant experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery
• Advanced knowledge of most or all of the following: complex organic synthesis, parallel synthesis, data analysis, lab automation, and purification in the optimization of lead compounds
• Thorough understanding of medicinal chemistry and multi parameter optimization of drug‑like compounds and a well‑developed understanding of current literature
• Excellent interpersonal skills…