Principal Scientist & Program Lead, Medicinal Chemistry

DeepCure • Boston, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

DeepCure is seeking a visionary Medicinal Chemist Principal Scientist and Program Lead to join their Discovery team. This role involves advancing the preclinical pipeline, focusing on immune system dysfunction and chronic inflammation. The individual will define and execute medicinal chemistry strategies for multiple programs that integrate life sciences and computer science. Key responsibilities include guiding small-molecule hits from in-silico concepts to candidate selection using a proprietary AI platform, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and external partners to shape the research portfolio and culture. This is a high-impact position within an interdisciplinary team of life-science and computer-science professionals, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and the chance to meaningfully shape DeepCure’s research direction, portfolio growth, and culture.

Requirements

• Ph.D. with 5-8 years of relevant industry experience or M.S. with >8 years of experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering development candidates and/or advancing drug discovery programs through lead optimization.
• Deep theoretical understanding and extensive hands-on expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, including reaction design and mechanistic interpretation.
• Proven ability to independently design, plan, and execute the synthesis of complex molecules in an outsourced, CRO-driven model.
• Highly self-motivated team contributor with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong technical proficiency, scientific creativity, and independent project planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Strong track record of scientific innovation, including patents and/or peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of DMPK, pharmacology, and chemical biology, with demonstrated application to multiparameter optimization in drug discovery programs.
• Proficiency in structure-based drug design (SBDD) and/or AI-enabled drug discovery approaches, with experience utilizing molecular modeling software to guide compound design.
• Deep expertise in inflammation and immunology (I&I), including knowledge of key signaling pathways driving disease progression.
• Experience in molecular glue discovery and modulation of protein-protein interactions.
• Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and developing scientists across multiple disciplines within cross-functional teams.
• Prior experience in a startup or fast-paced biotech environment, with demonstrated comfort operating in a flat organizational structure characterized by high autonomy, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead chemistry-led project teams by architecting and executing sophisticated synthetic and medicinal chemistry strategies, maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigor and industry best practices.
• Manage cross-functional CRO collaborations in a dynamic, sprint-based environment, focusing on the continuous refinement of DMTA workflows to rapidly advance drug discovery programs.
• Leverage advanced cheminformatics to dissect structure-activity and structure-property landscapes, utilizing predictive modeling to design optimized chemical entities in an integrated in silico environment.
• Partner with experts in computational chemistry, structural biology, DMPK, Biology and ML scientists to conduct real-time data interpretation to iteratively optimize molecular designs.
• Deliver data-driven strategic recommendations to senior leadership to guide program direction.
• Contribute to the expansion of the firm's IP estate through patent filings and disseminate key research milestones to the wider scientific community.
• Drive organizational excellence by supporting professional growth of the scientific team and maintaining a collaborative, learning-centric workspace.

Benefits

• Flexible work hours with a hybrid working model
• Unlimited paid leave and sick time
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance plans for you and your dependents
• Employer contributions to a health spending account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employer coverage public transportation expenses or parking
• Work in a cool and vibrant space at the heart of Boston
• Snacks, drinks, and regular social events for local and remote team members

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior