Scientific Director - San Diego CA
About The Position
The Scientific Director will lead and contribute to the drug discovery portfolio in the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center within the San Diego Discovery Chemistry group. This role is part of Global Discovery Chemistry, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences, and focuses on medicinal chemistry for potential treatments of diverse oncology indications. The successful candidate will apply modern drug-design principles and collaborate with a broad group of scientists to solve medicinal chemistry problems across the project portfolio. The role includes leading end-to-end medicinal chemistry programs from discovery through IND, advancing novel compounds, shaping portfolio strategy, and providing scientific, strategic, and operational direction for the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization. As a member of the San Diego Chemistry Leadership team, the Scientific Director will contribute to portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and senior leadership decision-making. The role also involves building and mentoring high-performing scientific teams and communicating program strategy, data, opportunities, and risks to leadership and stakeholders.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry and at least 8 years of pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industry experience; or M.S. and at least 12 years; or B.S. and at least 15 years.
- At least 6 years of program leadership experience across drug discovery phases, from program initiation to development candidate identification.
- Excellent communication skills, including presenting strategy, key data, issues, and accomplishments to organizational colleagues.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in protein degradation or induced proximity.
- Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industry experience.
- At least 6 years of program leadership experience across all drug discovery phases.
- Chemistry group leadership experience with 5 or more direct and indirect reports.
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end medicinal chemistry programs from discovery through IND, driving strategy, execution, and delivery of oncology assets.
- Design and advance novel compounds using modern drug-design approaches and integrating structural biology, ADME, and computational insights.
- Partner with multidisciplinary teams to accelerate decision-making, shape portfolio strategy, and deliver therapeutics.
- Build, mentor, and lead scientific teams, fostering innovation, accountability, and scientific excellence within and outside direct reporting lines.
- Present program strategy, data, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
- Help direct the scientific, strategic, and operational activities of the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization, including portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and representation in senior leadership decision-making.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
