Principal or Senior Principal Scientist, Peptide & Bioconjugate Drug Discovery

Zealand Pharma • Cambridge, MA

1d • $220,000 - $270,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Zealand Pharma is significantly expanding its global R&D capabilities and is establishing new research units in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As part of this expansion, we are creating a new organization—Molecular Platform Development—to strengthen and advance diverse drug modality capabilities in metabolic disease. We are seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Scientist – Peptide & Bioconjugate Drug Discovery to take a leading scientific role in building peptide- and bioconjugate-based discovery capabilities within this new organization. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape strategy, culture, and technical excellence from the ground up, while directly influencing Zealand Pharma’s long-term ambitions to deliver transformative medicines for people living with metabolic diseases.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field (postdoctoral training preferred)
• 6+ years of relevant post-degree experience in peptide drug discovery (Principal) or 8+ years (Senior Principal)
• Demonstrated track record progressing programs from concept toward clinical development, evidenced by inventorship on patents and peer-reviewed publications
• Deep expertise in peptide design, solid-phase peptide synthesis, and bioconjugation, with significant experience harnessing diverse high-throughput molecular discovery tools from hit-finding to lead candidate optimization
• Experience establishing high-throughput/parallel workflows, including parallel and combinatorial synthesis, automated mass-directed purification, and automated analytical characterization
• Ability to interpret and apply computational modeling and design insights, and familiarity with high-throughput hit-finding/optimization approaches (e.g., mRNA display, phage display, and/or DNA-encoded library technologies)

Responsibilities

• Define and lead peptide and bioconjugate drug discovery strategy aligned with Zealand Pharma’s metabolic disease portfolio and long-term business objectives
• Drive peptide and bioconjugate discovery programs from concept through lead-candidate selection, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders in computational chemistry, protein engineering, biology, pharmaceutical development, and project stakeholders
• Provide deep peptide and bioconjugate expertise across multiple modality formats and lead structure–activity relationship development and optimization
• Guide lead and backup candidate selection using integrated chemical, biological, and manufacturability considerations
• Establish and grow peptide and bioconjugate chemistry and discovery platform capabilities at the Cambridge R&D center, including automation-enabled high-throughput synthesis, purification, and analytics
• Build a high-performing, collaborative environment through mentorship, recruiting support, and cross-functional/external partnerships (including academic, biotech, and CRO collaborations)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees