Associate Director, Computational Chemistry

Revolution Medicines, Inc.; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

Revolution Medicines, Inc. seeks an accomplished Associate Director to lead our Computational Chemistry team in Redwood City, CA. You will guide structure-based design, integrate SAR and biophysical data, and ensure timely scientific impact across discovery programs.

The role requires a PhD with 10+ years in computational chemistry and a proven track record in biotech/pharma leadership, high-level modeling, and cross-functional collaboration. This position is onsite with hybrid flexibility.

Qualifications

• PhD in computational chemistry or related field with 10+ years post-PhD experience.
• Experience leading discovery programs and influencing strategy in biotech/pharma.
• Strong programming and data science skills applied to drug discovery.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a computational chemistry lead on multidisciplinary discovery teams.
• Lead TQ contributions and coordinate work across efforts.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to define key scientific questions.
• Establish hit-finding strategies and design libraries.
• Guide computational methods including MD and free energy calculations.
• Collaborate on AI/ML method development for drug discovery.

Skills

Computational chemistry

Python programming

AI/ML in drug discovery

Leadership / mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in computational chemistry

Tools

Cheminformatics tools

Machine learning software

HPC / Cloud workflows

Job description

Revolution Medicines is a global, commercial-state oncology company dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines for patients with RAS-addicted cancers. Leveraging its differentiated RAS(ON) tri-complex inhibitor platform, the company is advancing a broad, integrated portfolio of oral RAS(ON) inhibitors designed to directly target the active, cancer-driving state of RAS.Founded on rigorous scientific inquiry and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions, Revolution Medicines is committed to changing the trajectory of disease for patients with RAS-addicted cancers worldwide.

Our people are united by a shared way of working: follow the science, challenge assumptions, act with urgency and hold ourselves to a high standard of rigor—all in service of patients.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an accomplished and creative Associate Director to join our Computational Chemistry team, reporting to the Head of Computational Chemistry. A core priority of this role is to lead computational support for drug discovery programs, using structure-based drug design to guide compound design and optimization from hit finding through lead optimization. The Associate Director will also lead CompChem’s contribution to TQ, setting computational priorities, coordinating work across TQ efforts, and guiding scientific decisions.

As a leader within our Computational Chemistry team, you will:

• Serve as a computational chemistry lead on multidisciplinary discovery teams, shaping project direction and compound design from hit finding through lead optimization. Integrate SAR, structural, biophysical, biochemical, and ADME/PK data to guide prioritization of Ro5 and bRo5 molecules.
• Lead CompChem’s contribution to TQ, translating discovery strategy into computational objectives, work plans, and milestones. Coordinate execution across TQ efforts and be accountable for the quality, timeliness, and scientific impact of the work.
• Partner with medicinal chemistry, structural biology, biology, and screening leaders to define key scientific questions, resolve complex discovery challenges, and recommend priorities. Communicate evidence, uncertainties, and trade-offs to project teams and senior leadership.
• Establish and advance hit‑finding strategies for novel protein and protein‑protein interaction targets, including structure‑based and ligand‑based virtual screening and the design of diverse chemical libraries.
• Guide the evaluation, development, and application of computational methods, including molecular dynamics, enhanced sampling, and free energy calculations. Remain hands‑on in solving challenging modeling and molecular design problems.
• Collaborate with Advanced Analytics to develop, validate, and apply AI/ML methods that address computational chemistry and drug discovery needs.
• Set computational priorities across assigned discovery programs and TQ responsibilities, in alignment with the Head of Computational Chemistry and project leads. Identify staffing, compute, software, and external collaboration needs; provide budget and resource recommendations and track delivery against agreed plans.
• Provide scientific leadership and lead cross‑functional initiatives. Establish standards for reproducibility, model evaluation, and knowledge sharing, and support the adoption of effective methods across discovery teams.
• Have the opportunity to manage and develop junior scientists, supporting their scientific development and contributions to discovery projects.

Required Skills, Experience and Education:

• Ph.D. in computational chemistry or a related field. 10+ years experience post PhD.
• Substantial computational chemistry experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with demonstrated scientific leadership across discovery programs and a track record of influencing program strategy, advancing compounds, or enabling key discovery decisions.
• Expert knowledge of computational chemistry methods for protein‑ligand analysis and molecular design, including docking, virtual screening, pharmacophore modeling, molecular dynamics, and free energy or quantum mechanical calculations.
• Experience developing, validating, and applying AI/ML or data science approaches to drug discovery, with sound judgment in model evaluation, uncertainty, applicability, and experimental validation.
• Strong scientific programming skills in Python or related languages, and experience with computational chemistry, cheminformatics, and machine learning software.
• Demonstrated ability to set scientific priorities, develop work plans, coordinate resources, and lead scientists or cross‑functional programs. Ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly.
• A collaborative leadership style, a record of mentoring scientists, and the ability to balance exploratory research with discovery timelines and deliverables.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Ro5 and bRo5 modalities, including macrocycles, molecular glues, tri‑complex inhibitors, covalent ligands, or other challenging therapeutic modalities.
• Experience working in HPC or cloud environments and developing scalable computational workflows.
• A record of scientific innovation reflected in patents, publications, presentations, or the adoption of methods that improve discovery outcomes.
• Experience managing direct reports, external scientific collaborations, or budgets.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-SB1

The base pay salary range for this full‑time position for candidates working onsite at our headquarters in Redwood City, CA is listed below. The range displayed on each job posting is intended to be the base pay salary range for an individual working onsite in Redwood City and will be adjusted for the local market a candidate is based in. Our base pay salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual base pay salary is determined by multiple factors, including job‑related skills, experience, market dynamics, and relevant education or training.

Please note that base pay salary range is one part of the overall total rewards program at RevMed, which includes competitive cash compensation, robust equity awards, strong benefits, and significant learning and development opportunities.

Revolution Medicines is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, and veteran status.

Revolution Medicines takes protection and security of personal data very seriously and respects your right to privacy while using our website and when contacting us by email or phone. We will only collect, process and use any personal data that you provide to us in accordance with our CCPA NoticeandPrivacy Policy. For additional information, please contact [e-mail].

Base Pay Salary Range

$186,000—$233,000 USD