Director, Medicinal Chemistry
About The Position
The Director, Medicinal Chemistry is a senior-level medicinal chemist who manages a small-molecule drug discovery team. The role provides scientific leadership to chemists designing and synthesizing novel compounds for portfolio projects and collaborates with biology, DMPK, and safety teams to advance quality compounds as potential drug candidates. The Director drives medicinal chemistry projects from target validation through chemical equity identification and lead optimization to drug candidate selection. The role participates in project-team and departmental research meetings, maintains laboratory notebooks according to company policies, follows safe laboratory practices and EH&S guidelines, and promotes laboratory safety. It also contributes to technical documents, patent applications, scientific manuscripts, and conference presentations. The Director supervises staff and works in a fast-paced, evolving team environment that requires reprioritizing projects while meeting timelines and deliverables. As a subject matter expert, the Director applies independent judgment and has detailed knowledge of medicinal chemistry and cross-functional disciplines. The position is based in Alameda, California. The office is described as a modern, collaborative workspace, with equipment including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs.
Requirements
- Ph.D. and a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing as a direct supervisor and in matrix teams.
- Experience managing projects and/or workgroups in biotechnology organizations, including budget procedures.
- A proven track record of delivering projects from target identification through optimization to high-quality drug candidates, evidenced by publications and/or patent applications.
- Knowledge of drug discovery, including structure-based drug design and related disciplines.
- Strong organic and medicinal chemistry bench skills, with detailed knowledge of modern synthetic chemistry techniques, purification methods, and analytical techniques.
- Ability to design target compounds and synthetic pathways.
- Excellent problem-solving and SAR analysis skills.
- Extensive experience conducting research experiments in a medicinal chemistry laboratory and operating general chemistry equipment.
- General computer experience, including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
- Extensive knowledge of organic and medicinal chemistry techniques, theories, and practices, and comprehensive understanding of current approaches in medicinal chemistry.
- Extensive knowledge of intellectual property matters related to drug discovery.
- Ability to set goals with an understanding of priorities and impact on programs, the department, and the organization.
- Ability to apply advanced scientific and technical principles, theories, and concepts and contribute to developing new principles and concepts.
- Ability to use scientific literature and chemical/scientific databases efficiently.
- Ability to initiate program efforts and work effectively with CRO partners.
- Good interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to work well in a team environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, regularly reprioritize work, and meet timelines and deliverables.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in selecting methods and techniques and evaluating criteria for obtaining results.
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific and transformative leadership to chemistry team members.
- Collaborate with biology, DMPK, and safety teams to advance quality compounds as potential drug candidates.
- Drive medicinal chemistry projects from target validation through chemical equity identification and lead optimization to drug candidate selection.
- Participate in and present at project-team and departmental research meetings.
- Maintain laboratory notebooks in accordance with company policies and practices.
- Comply with safe laboratory practices and EH&S guidelines and promote a culture of safety in the laboratory.
- Contribute to technical documents, patent applications, scientific manuscripts, and conference presentations.
- Supervise staff, including hiring, scheduling and assigning work, reviewing performance, and recommending salary increases, promotions, transfers, demotions, or terminations.
- Manage employees directly through a dotted-line structure or through subordinate supervisors.
- Reprioritize projects as needed while meeting timelines and deliverables.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with generous company contributions
- Group medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Life and disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus program, or a sales-based incentive plan for field sales staff
- Opportunity to purchase company stock
- Long-term incentives
- 15 accrued vacation days in the first year
- 17 paid holidays, including a company-wide winter shutdown in December
- Up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
