Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

• Advance peptide therapeutics, especially macrocyclic peptides, and small molecule programs from screening to development candidate selection
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with CADD, biophysics, structural biology, DMPK, and biology teams to design molecules, achieve program goals, and meet timelines
• Implement structure-based and computational drug design to optimize peptide and small molecule therapeutics; prioritize and implement synthesis
• Manage teams of external synthetic chemists to ensure timely delivery of complex target molecules for biological testing
• Interpret analytical results to ensure compound quality, data integrity, and project success
• Stay current with chemistry, medicinal chemistry, project-relevant literature, and new patent application filings
• Lead research teams or serve as medicinal chemistry lead from concept through lead optimization toward clinical development
• Collaborate across computational chemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and biology functions to provide actionable insights and strategic guidance

• BS, MS or PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related field
• 5-10 years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with a proven track record advancing molecules from hit to development candidate selection
• Expertise in organic chemistry, including automated solid-phase peptide synthesis and solution-phase small molecule synthesis
• Expertise in medicinal chemistry, data analysis, molecule design, and synthesis to optimize peptides and small molecules for oral delivery
• Deep knowledge of macrocyclic peptide optimization, including properties required for oral administration
• Proficiency in structure-based ligand design for peptide and small molecule optimization
• Experience with computational modeling and simulation for peptide and small molecule design and optimization
• Experience using peptide informatics tools for SAR
• Familiarity with machine learning and AI-driven drug discovery platforms
• Experience leading and managing teams of external chemists
• Hands-on, collaborative ability to work across biology, structural biology, computational chemistry, and biophysics
• Excellent communication skills in a multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with library-based screening technologies including DEL, mRNA display, and phage display
• Direct experience with screen follow-up and fragment-based drug discovery
• Experience progressing programs through lead optimization for immunology targets
• Familiarity with molecular modeling tools
• Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Spotfire

Demonstrates expertise in organic and medicinal chemistry, with a strong focus on advancing peptide and small molecule therapeutics from concept to clinical development. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement structure-based drug design methodologies to optimize compounds for oral delivery.

• Organic Chemistry Expertise
• Medicinal Chemistry Leadership
• Structure-Based Ligand Design
• Computational Modeling Experience
• Team Management in Drug Discovery

• Automated Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis
• Solution-Phase Small Molecule Synthesis
• Data Analysis for Molecule Design
• Macrocyclic Peptide Optimization
• Peptide Informatics Tools
• Machine Learning in Drug Discovery
• Fragment-Based Drug Discovery
• Library-Based Screening Technologies
• Molecular Modeling Tools
• Lead Optimization for Immunology Targets

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Collaborative Ability

• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Peptide Therapeutics
• Small Molecule Programs
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Computational Drug Design
• Data Analysis Tools
• Spotfire