Director, Medicinal Chemistry

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Massachusetts.

📋 Description

• Oversee the medicinal chemistry aspect of a multidisciplinary CNS GPCR drug discovery initiative.

• Provide guidance to a geographically distributed team, including internal chemistry personnel, CRO-based synthetic chemistry groups, consultants, and collaborators.

• Manage both internal chemistry resources and external chemistry teams.

• Prioritize tasks, resolve synthetic challenges, and guide teams toward IND-ready candidate molecules.

• Act as the chemistry lead within the larger multidisciplinary project team.

• Cultivate working relationships with colleagues, partners, consultants, and CROs.

• Design novel molecules that align with the target product profile and secure intellectual property.

• Develop chemistry strategies that bolster an effective intellectual property position.

• Analyze structure-activity relationships (SAR) from weekly pharmacology and ADME data to pinpoint opportunities for enhanced molecules.

• Stay informed about competitor activities and advancements in medicinal chemistry.

• Maximize the throughput of test compounds.

• Employ structure-based drug design expertise and computational predictive tools for compound properties.

• Present data and outline next steps in chemistry-focused and cross-functional meetings.

• Justify proposed designs utilizing SAR and prior literature.

• Clearly communicate ideas both in writing and verbally to project teams and senior management.

⛳️ Requirements

• BS/MS in Chemistry; PhD is highly preferred.

• Over 10 years of experience designing small molecules as a medicinal chemistry team leader in a biotech and/or pharmaceutical setting.

• Expert understanding of synthetic chemistry and medicinal chemistry principles.

• Working knowledge of pharmacology, ADME, pharmaceutical sciences, intellectual property protection, and candidate selection criteria.

• Experience with CNS targets.

• Familiarity with all phases of discovery, from hit-to-lead and lead optimization to IND-ready candidates.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire remote and virtual teams to meet stringent deadlines.

• Strong independent scientific judgment, as well as exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.

• Experience in managing outsourced chemistry teams.

• Adaptive problem-solving capabilities.

• Technical expertise and a growth-oriented mindset.

• A strong sense of curiosity and a drive for self-initiated innovation, particularly involving artificial intelligence and digital tools.

🏝️ Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus.

• 401(k) plan.

• Company-sponsored medical insurance.

• Company-sponsored dental insurance.

• Company-sponsored vision insurance.

• Company-sponsored life insurance.

• Generous paid time off.

• Health and wellness program.

• Occasional travel associated with remote work.