Senior Medicinal Chemist

Aqemia; Paris; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Impact on drug discovery

Work with a world-class team

Job summary

A biotech firm in Paris is seeking a skilled Medicinal Chemist to design and optimize compounds for drug development. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in synthetic or organic chemistry and possess 10 years of experience in industrial drug discovery. The role involves collaborating with advanced technology platforms, optimizing lead compounds, and managing tasks related to drug discovery projects. Join a world-class interdisciplinary team dedicated to pushing boundaries in life sciences and technology.

Qualifications

• PhD in synthetic or organic chemistry, academic post-doc is a plus.
• 10 years of experience in industrial drug discovery with a similar role.
• Strong interest in AI-driven and computer-assisted drug design.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technological platform for molecule design.
• Optimize lead compounds into drug candidates.
• Prepare and follow tasks to support drug discovery projects.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Compound design

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

AI-driven drug design

Education

PhD in synthetic or organic chemistry

Job description

About AQEMIA

AQEMIA is a drug invention company dedicated to creating entirely new medicines to address major unmet medical needs. At the core of our mission is QEMI, our proprietary molecule‑invention platform, which uniquely combines cutting‑edge science with advanced technology. Powered by physics-based modeling, statistical mechanics, and generative AI, QEMI allows our teams to design novel drug candidates from first principles.

About our Team

AQEMIA brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary team of 65+ professionals based in Paris and London. Our scientists and engineers, including chemists, physicists, machine learning experts, and software engineers, work side by side to push the boundaries of early-stage drug discovery.

This close collaboration across disciplines is central to our approach, enabling us to tackle complex scientific challenges from first principles and translate cutting‑edge ideas into novel therapeutic candidates. At AQEMIA, team members are encouraged to contribute their expertise, learn from one another, and play an active role in shaping the future of drug invention.

As a Medicinal Chemist you will work at the interface of chemistry and biology, designing and optimizing compounds that drive our projects from hit generation through to preclinical candidates. If you’re excited to leverage your scientific expertise to help build the future of therapeutics, we’d love to hear from you!

Your Mission

• Of primary importance at AQEMIA: closely collaborate with our technological platform, including atomistic calculations and generative AI, with the goals of (i) challenging and improving the platform, and (ii) designing innovative molecules.
• Optimize lead compounds and transform them into drug candidates, pragmatically applying our technology.
• Autonomously execute, and interpret complex activities to identify pharmaceutical candidates.
• Prepare and follow tasks given to our CROs to support drug discovery projects, including the synthesis of novel small molecules and the generation of biological data.
• Follow and drive one or several programs simultaneously in medicinal chemistry.
• Contribute to patent filings.
• Maintain clear, accurate, written records of decisions and progresses.
• Collaborate with our project managers to establish clear projections in terms of timelines and costs.

Your Qualifications

• PhD in synthetic or organic chemistry, academic post‑doc is a plus.
• 10 years of experience in industrial drug discovery with a similar role.
• Strong track record in organic synthesis and compound design for drug discovery.
• Strong interest in AI-driven and computer-assisted drug design.
• Proven ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and effectively communicate complex data.
• Familiarity with molecular modeling, SAR analysis, and ADME optimization.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a track record of scientific innovation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Autonomous, curious, creative, strong analytical skills.
• Can explain complex topics with simple words.

We will be accepting applications until 24th March. Once the role closes, our team will review all submissions and reach out to candidates selected for interview.

Why Join Us?

At AQEMIA, we work for a mission: joining us means having your own impact on changing the way drugs are discovered, and helping to shape the direction of our fast-growing company and team.

Expanding Drug Discovery Pipeline

Focused on critical therapeutic areas like Oncology, CNS, Immuno‑inflammation… with in vivo proof of concept/patent stage programs. Collaborations with top Pharma, including a $140M Sanofi deal.

World-Class Interdisciplinary Team

Work alongside exceptional talent at the intersection of technology and life sciences. Our teams combine deep expertise in AI, physics-based modeling, biology, and medicinal chemistry to push the boundaries of innovation.

DeepTech Recognition

AQEMIA is proud to be part of the French Tech 120 and France 2030, highlighting our role as a key player in Europe’s DeepTech ecosystem.

Prime Location with Flexibility

Our offices are located in the heart of Paris and London (King’s Cross), with flexible work arrangements including up to two remote days per week.

Strong Financial Backing

$100M raised from leading European and International investors.