Research Scientist, Life Sciences
Conducts hands-on medicinal chemistry research to evaluate AI-generated molecules and synthetic routes, advancing small-molecule programs from design through experimental validation. Requires a chemistry PhD, sustained synthetic experience, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Design multi-step synthetic routes for small molecules and oversee execution end to end, including route selection, reaction optimization, purification strategy, and interpretation of characterization data such as NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC.
- Coordinate synthesis and biological evaluation with external contract research organizations and academic partners.
- Evaluate AI-designed molecules and AI-proposed synthetic routes, drive them to experimental readout, and feed results back to research teams.
- Apply medicinal chemistry principles, including SAR analysis and physicochemical property optimization, to compound design and prioritization.
- Ensure experimental data across programs is high quality and well documented, including procedures, spectra, and failure modes.
- Communicate findings clearly to chemistry, AI research, and life sciences audiences.
Requirements
- PhD in chemistry.
- Demonstrated medicinal chemistry experience, including SAR-driven design and optimization of small molecules, with recent, sustained hands-on synthetic work.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and defining problems in a rapidly evolving research environment.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Nice-to-haves
- 5+ years of medicinal chemistry experience beyond the PhD.
- Track record of advancing programs from hit identification through lead optimization.
- Experience directing synthetic chemistry activities at contract research organizations.
- Computational chemistry, cheminformatics, or coding skills, such as Python with RDKit or pandas for data analysis and automation.
- Experience using AI or ML tools in the life sciences.
- Publications and/or patents demonstrating scientific impact.
Compensation
- Annual salary: $300,000–$320,000 USD.
Skills
Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Small Molecules, Sar Analysis, Nmr, Lc-Ms, Hplc, Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Python, Rdkit, pandas, AI/ML
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