Associate Director, Peptide Medicinal Chemistry

Job Title:

Associate Director, Peptide Medicinal Chemistry

Job Description

The Associate Director of Peptide Medicinal Chemistry will lead the discovery and optimization of peptide ligands designed to deliver RNA therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. This role owns the medicinal chemistry strategy for peptide delivery programs and is responsible for advancing compounds from hit identification through lead optimization. The Associate Director will design and execute structure-activity relationship (SAR) strategies, direct peptide optimization efforts, guide conjugate design decisions, and collaborate closely with computational scientists, biologists, biophysicists, and oligonucleotide chemists.

As a senior member of the delivery sciences organization, this individual will oversee external synthesis partners, manage multiple scientific work streams, make key program recommendations, and help shape both the scientific strategy and future growth of the peptide chemistry group.

Responsibilities

+ Lead the discovery and optimization of peptide ligands that enable delivery of RNA therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier.

+ Own and drive medicinal chemistry strategy for peptide delivery programs from hit identification through lead optimization.

+ Design and execute robust SAR strategies, integrating binding, cellular, pharmacokinetic, and in vivo data to guide progression decisions.

+ Direct peptide optimization efforts, including linear and constrained peptide formats and incorporation of non-natural amino acids.

+ Guide conjugate design decisions for peptide-based delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics and other conjugate modalities.

+ Collaborate closely with computational scientists, biologists, biophysicists, oligonucleotide chemists, and neuroscience teams to align chemistry with biological and translational goals.

+ Oversee external synthesis partners and CROs, defining scope of work, managing budgets, establishing milestones, and ensuring delivery of high-quality scientific outcomes.

+ Manage multiple concurrent scientific work streams and prioritize resources to meet program objectives and timelines.

+ Interpret large biological and pharmacological datasets to inform medicinal chemistry strategy and compound selection.

+ Ensure high-quality purification and characterization of complex peptide therapeutics and delivery constructs.

+ Provide strategic recommendations on compound progression, portfolio decisions, and CNS delivery platform evolution.

+ Mentor, develop, and lead scientists within the peptide chemistry group, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.

+ Support intellectual property generation, including patent filings, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

+ Communicate program status, scientific rationale, and key decisions effectively to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

+ Help shape the future structure, capabilities, and scientific priorities of the peptide chemistry and delivery sciences organization as it scales.

Essential Skills

+ PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

+ Demonstrated history of advancing peptide programs from hit identification through lead optimization.

+ Strong understanding of peptide SAR principles and the ability to design and execute SAR strategies.

+ Deep expertise in solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), including linear and constrained peptides and non-natural amino acids.

+ Proficiency in purification and characterization methodologies for complex peptide therapeutics.

+ Ability to interpret binding, cellular, pharmacokinetic, and in vivo data to drive SAR and progression decisions.

+ Experience supporting conjugate-based therapeutic…