AI for Science – Chemistry Lead

Starry Recruitment; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Starry Recruitment in Boston seeks a Chemistry Lead with a strong background in synthetic chemistry to drive AI for Science initiatives at our North American office.

The role combines hands-on research with leadership, guiding AI-enabled chemistry workflows, reaction design, and DoE, while building a local chemistry team as the company grows.

You will work cross-functionally with AI/ML researchers, engineers, and external partners to advance science-driven solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in organic/synthetic chemistry or related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in chemical synthesis, with small or large molecule expertise.
• 5+ years of relevant research or industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI for Science / AI4Chemistry projects leveraging synthetic chemistry expertise.
• Design, develop, and optimize synthetic chemistry workflows for small/large molecules.
• Collaborate with AI/ML researchers and engineers to translate chemistry problems into data-driven solutions.
• Establish chemistry research methodologies, data standards, and best practices for the North American team.

Skills

Chemical synthesis

IC leadership

AI for Science

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal/Chemical Biology

Tools

Python

Cheminformatics tools

Job description

Level: Lead / Individual Contributor initially

About the Role

We are looking for a Chemistry Lead with a strong background in synthetic chemistry to drive AI for Science initiatives at our newly established North American office in Boston.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in chemical synthesis, with expertise in either small-molecule or large-molecule synthesis. You will work closely with AI/ML researchers, computational scientists, and engineering teams to translate real-world chemistry challenges into AI-driven solutions and next-generation scientific workflows.

As the North American team is at an early stage, this position will initially be a hands-on IC leadership role, with significant scientific ownership and close interaction with the CEO. As the organization grows, the role will evolve into a team leadership position, with responsibility for building and managing a local chemistry/science team.

This is an opportunity for a scientist who is passionate about the intersection of chemistry, AI, and scientific discovery and wants to play a foundational role in building the company's North American scientific capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead chemistry-focused AI for Science / AI4Chemistry projects, leveraging expertise in synthetic chemistry to identify and solve high-impact scientific problems.
• Design, develop, and optimize synthetic chemistry workflows for small molecules and/or large molecules.
• Work closely with AI/ML and computational teams to translate chemistry problems into data-driven and AI-enabled solutions.
• Identify opportunities to apply machine learning, generative models, optimization, automated experimentation, and other computational approaches to chemical synthesis.
• Contribute scientific expertise to problems such as reaction prediction, reaction optimization, retrosynthetic analysis, molecular design, synthesis planning, and design of experiments (DoE).
• Evaluate experimental and computational results and provide scientific direction for model and workflow development.
• Help establish chemistry research methodologies, experimental workflows, data standards, and best practices for the North American team.
• Collaborate with internal and external scientific partners, customers, and research institutions where appropriate.
• Communicate scientific findings through technical reports, presentations, publications, and other scientific outputs.
• Initially operate as a hands-on individual contributor and technical lead, while taking increasing responsibility for hiring, mentoring, and managing chemistry/science team members as the organization grows.

Necessary Qualifications and Qualities

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in chemical synthesis, with expertise in either small-molecule or large-molecule synthesis.
• Solid understanding of synthetic chemistry principles, reaction mechanisms, experimental design, reaction optimization, and chemical characterization.
• 5+ years of relevant research or industry experience preferred.
• Experience working on chemistry problems in pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, materials, or related R&D environments.
• Strong scientific problem-solving skills and the ability to independently design and execute research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and communicate effectively with AI/ML researchers, computational scientists, and engineers.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Highly self-motivated, intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in an early-stage / entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to initially work as an IC while taking ownership of building the chemistry function and eventually leading a team.
• Willingness to travel internationally for research collaborations, training, conferences, and business activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in AI for Science, AI4Chemistry, computational chemistry, machine learning, or data-driven chemistry.
• Experience applying AI/ML to chemical synthesis, molecular design, reaction prediction, retrosynthesis, reaction optimization, or DoE.
• Familiarity with Python, cheminformatics tools, molecular representations, or computational chemistry workflows.
• Experience with automated synthesis, robotics, high-throughput experimentation, self-driving laboratories, or laboratory automation.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring, or managing research teams.
• Strong publication record, patents, or demonstrated scientific contributions in a relevant field.
• Experience collaborating with pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical technology, or AI companies.
• Experience working in a startup or rapidly growing technology organization is a plus.

Why Join Us

• Take a foundational scientific leadership role in our newly established North American organization.
• Work directly with the CEO and have significant influence over the company's chemistry and AI for Science strategy.
• Combine your expertise in synthetic chemistry with cutting-edge AI technologies.
• Start as a hands-on scientific IC and have the opportunity to build and lead a chemistry team in North America as the organization scales.
• Work at the intersection of AI, chemistry, automation, and scientific discovery.