Associate Director/ Director, Medicinal Chemistry
About The Position
Latigo is seeking a highly motivated Associate Director/Director to join its medicinal chemistry department. The role is suited to a chemist with experience working in integrated, multidisciplinary drug discovery teams and broad medicinal chemistry experience spanning hit identification through development compound selection. The successful candidate will bring a record of innovation and creative problem-solving, expertise in organic chemistry, and broad knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles. A deep understanding of how molecular properties relate to DMPK properties and support discovery of high-quality molecules is expected. The individual will participate in writing and executing patent applications and will interface with or lead internal cross-functional teams, external collaborators, and CROs. The position includes project-based medicinal chemistry leadership, initially from the bench, and contributions to the department’s procedures, infrastructure, and company culture.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
- More than 8 years of industrial drug discovery experience for Associate Director, or 12 years for Director.
- Expertise in organic chemistry and broad knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles.
- Deep understanding of the relationship between molecular properties and DMPK properties.
Nice To Haves
- Impactful experience in the discovery of ion channel modulators.
- Demonstrated achievements in the synthesis and design of biologically active small molecules, evidenced by publications and patents.
- Extensive knowledge of modern synthetic organic chemistry.
- Solid understanding of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and ADME/toxicity concepts.
- Experience spanning hit-to-lead through lead optimization and candidate selection.
- Experience with a broad range of modern structure-based drug design and computer-assisted drug design techniques.
- Excellent interpersonal and team-management skills, along with oral and written communication skills.
- Passionate interest in hypothesis-driven drug discovery, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to work in an interdisciplinary scientific team environment.
Responsibilities
- Plan and effectively lead day-to-day project-based medicinal chemistry efforts, initially from the bench.
- Lead or co-lead drug discovery projects.
- Use medicinal chemistry expertise and data analysis software to generate hypotheses.
- Actively direct and partner with CROs.
- Collaborate with Latigo medicinal chemists, computational chemists, and cross-functional scientists.
- Propose and develop strategies to enhance drug design capabilities, identify quality chemical leads for new projects, and develop high-quality candidates for clinical development.
- Develop and maintain relevant SOPs, policies, procedures, and systems for the department.
- Contribute to building chemistry infrastructure and company culture.
- Participate in writing and executing patent applications.
- Interface with or lead internal cross-functional teams and external collaborators.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
