Senior / Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Altos Labs • San Francisco, CA

6d • $174,800 - $316,100

About The Position

Altos Labs is seeking a talented Medicinal Chemist to join its small-molecule drug discovery team. The role contributes to all stages of drug discovery, from hit identification through lead optimization, with the goal of optimizing compounds toward drug development candidate selection. The successful candidate will work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment to advance science and develop medicines.

The position involves designing and synthesizing novel compounds, applying structure-based, computational, and property-based design approaches, and conducting or coordinating multi-step synthesis. The scientist will analyze and communicate structure-activity relationship data, address compound potency, physical-property, and ADMET challenges, and support chemistry operations through internal laboratory work and collaboration with CROs. The role also includes cross-functional collaboration, scientific presentations, and potential leadership of chemistry programs and external CRO chemistry FTEs.

Altos Labs describes its mission as restoring cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and disabilities. It emphasizes belonging, collaboration, scientific excellence, and equal employment opportunity.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 6+ years of post-Ph.D. experience, or equivalent and relevant experience in chemical research.
• Proven expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, demonstrated by a strong track record of lead-author publications and/or patents.
• Understanding of medicinal chemistry principles.
• Experience in drug discovery, including hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization.
• Experience with structure-based drug design.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to deliver effective presentations.
• Contemporary expertise in organic chemistry, including modern synthetic methodologies, multi-step synthetic route design, compound purification, and characterization.
• Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of team needs.
• Fearless pursuit of innovation and passion for creating medicines to address unmet patient needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in chemical research, preferably in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting.

Responsibilities

• Contribute chemistry efforts to one or more drug discovery programs, designing drug-like molecules and optimizing compounds toward drug development candidate selection.
• Collaborate with Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Structural Biology, Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Machine Learning, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Safety, and disease-area Biology functions.
• Design and synthesize novel compounds using structure-based, computational, and property-based design tools and methods.
• Conduct multi-step synthesis, perform retrosynthetic analysis of complex molecules, and troubleshoot synthetic issues internally or with CRO partners.
• Organize, analyze, and communicate structure-activity relationship (SAR) data to develop design ideas and influence program direction.
• Design compounds to address potency, physical-property, and ADMET challenges.
• Execute synthesis in internal laboratories, collaborate with Contract Research Organizations, and provide general chemistry support to Altos Labs functions.
• Present scientific findings effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate leadership potential toward leading chemistry programs, including managing external CRO chemistry FTEs.

What This Job Offers

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