Member of Technical Staff - Chemistry

Position Summary

Our organization combines synthetic chemistry expertise with robotics and automation:
Our long term vision is to build an autonomous synthetic chemistry lab that delivers small-molecule discovery chemistry services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. We are seeking a Scientist to join our Medicinal Chemistry group and contribute directly to client drug discovery programs. The successful candidate will design and execute multi-step organic syntheses, propose and evaluate synthetic routes, and generate high-quality compounds and data in support of hit-to-lead and lead optimization campaigns.

Beyond bench chemistry, this role plays a key part in our automation mission: the compounds, reactions, and characterization data generated will help build structured, high-quality training datasets for machine learning models, and the chemist will work directly with AI scientists and roboticists to translate synthetic know-how into automated and self-optimizing chemistry platforms. This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical execution, sound chemical judgment, and comfort operating at the interface of traditional bench chemistry and emerging lab automation.

• Design, plan, and execute multi-step organic synthesis of target compounds in support of client medicinal chemistry and hit-to-lead/lead optimization programs.

• Propose and evaluate synthetic routes, including retrosynthetic analysis, selection of viable pathways, and identification of scalable, cost-effective alternatives.

• Perform reaction optimization (yield, selectivity, purity, scalability) and troubleshoot synthetic problems using sound mechanistic reasoning.

• Purify and characterize intermediates and final compounds using standard techniques (column chromatography, prep-HPLC, recrystallization) and analytical methods (LCMS, NMR, HPLC, HRMS).

• Accurately and promptly record experimental procedures, observations, and results in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) in accordance with company and client documentation standards.

• Support scale-up of key intermediates and final compounds as required by project needs.

• Communicate progress, data, and route strategy clearly and regularly to project leaders and, where applicable, directly to client scientists.

• Generate clean, well-structured experimental data (reaction inputs/outputs, conditions, yields, analytical results) suitable for use as high-quality training data for machine learning and reaction-prediction models.

• Partner closely with AI scientists and roboticists to translate synthetic routes and bench protocols into procedures executable on automated/robotic synthesis platforms, providing chemistry expertise during platform design, testing, and validation.

• Provide hands-on feedback on automated workflows (liquid handling, automated reaction setup, in-line analytics) and help troubleshoot discrepancies between manual and automated execution of chemistry.

• Support iterative improvement of self-driving lab and automated chemistry capabilities by flagging edge cases, failure modes, and data quality issues encountered at the bench.

• Maintain compliance with laboratory safety protocols, chemical hygiene procedures, and proper handling/disposal of hazardous materials.

• Manage time and priorities effectively across multiple concurrent projects and client deadlines.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of synthetic methods, workflows, and best practices within the chemistry group.

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.

• 0–3 years of relevant synthetic organic chemistry experience (industry, CRO, or advanced academic/graduate research); internship or co-op experience considered for entry-level candidates.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with multi-step organic synthesis and standard purification techniques.

• Working knowledge of retrosynthetic analysis and route design principles.

• Proficiency interpreting spectroscopic and analytical data (NMR, LCMS, HPLC) to confirm structure and purity.

• Solid understanding of laboratory safety practices and safe handling of reactive/hazardous chemicals.

• Strong record-keeping and documentation habits; experience with ELN systems is a plus.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly to project teams.