Principal Scientist, Peptide Therapeutics

Roche • South San Francisco, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Opportunity We are seeking a creative and highly motivated Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemist to join our R&D team. This is a primarily lab-based, technical leadership position within the Peptide Therapeutics department. In this lab-based leadership role, you will combine hands-on synthetic expertise with strategic oversight, driving the discovery and optimization of peptide therapeutics across the full development lifecycle.

Requirements

• Education: Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry (or related field) with 3+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Synthetic Expert: Proven mastery of both SPPS (manual and automated) and complex solution-phase organic synthesis.
• Design Savvy: Deep knowledge of macrocyclic peptides, various routes of administration (IV, SC, PO), and library-based screening (e.g., mRNA display, AS/MS, OBOC).
• Computationally Proficient: Experienced in using software (Schrödinger, MOE, Maestro) for molecular dynamics, conformational sampling, and AI/ML-driven sequence optimization.
• Effective Communicator: Ability to present complex technical data and strategic roadmaps to global cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Synthetic Execution & Lab Leadership Primary Bench Driver: Execute the multi-step synthesis of peptides, peptidomimetics, and novel, non-commercial building blocks or scaffolds.
• Synthetic Mastery: Utilize expert-level skills in solid-phase peptide synthesis, solution-phase organic chemistry, and specialized macrocyclization or ligation strategies.
• Analytical Rigor: Personally oversee high-resolution analysis (HPLC, Mass Spec, NMR) to confirm compound identity and ensure the delivery of high-purity materials.
• Strategic Design & Technology Innovation Apply conformational analysis, structure-based design, and computational modeling (e.g., MD simulations) to optimize potency, stability, and pharmacokinetics.
• Drive polycyclization strategies to improve drug-like properties.
• Lead Optimization: Implement strategic SAR plans and Multi-Parameter Optimization to advance candidates from early hits through to IND-enabling studies.
• Collaborative Leadership Lead multidisciplinary project teams, serving as the technical bridge between Peptide Therapeutics, Research Biology, Drug Discovery, and Therapeutic Areas.
• Supervise and mentor junior scientists directly at the bench, fostering a culture of technical excellence and scientific innovation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree