Director, Medicinal Chemistry & Lead Optimization

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; San Diego (CA); In loco; USD 198.000 - 296.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

On-site role

Annual bonus eligibility

Equity awards

Medical, dental & vision benefits

Generous paid time off

Commuting subsidy

Descrizione del lavoro

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated seeks a Director of Medicinal Chemistry to lead small-molecule discovery programs and define strategic chemistry direction. The role combines people management with hands-on design and optimization, driving candidates from discovery to selection in a fast-paced research environment.

You will guide SAR, collaborate across biology, DMPK and toxicology, mentor scientists, and partner with external collaborators to advance portfolio goals.

Competenze

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with 9+ years of relevant postdoctoral industry experience; or Master’s with 12+ years; or Bachelor’s with 15+ years.
• Significant experience in medicinal chemistry and small molecule-drug discovery.
• Proven success advancing discovery programs through candidate selection.
• Experience leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, including in matrixed settings.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor scientists and provide strategic scientific leadership.

Mansioni

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small-molecule discovery programs aligned with portfolio and project objectives.
• Drive compound design, synthesis, and optimization to advance development candidates.
• Guide SAR strategy and data-driven decision-making to support candidate selection.
• Partner with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to advance program goals.
• Integrate developability, drug property, and translational considerations into chemistry strategy.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, and development support to chemistry team members.
• Manage external collaborators and contribute to productive research partnerships.
• Communicate program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and governance teams.
• Support intellectual property strategy in partnership with internal stakeholders.

Conoscenze

Medicinal chemistry

Organic synthesis

Small-molecule drug discovery

Lead optimization

SAR analysis

Compound design

Candidate selection

DMPK/ADME collaboration

Drug property optimization

Patent support

Formazione

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Master's degree + 12+ years industry experience

Bachelor's degree + 15+ years industry experience

Descrizione del lavoro

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated seeks a Director of Medicinal Chemistry to lead small-molecule discovery programs and define strategic chemistry direction. The role combines people management with hands-on design and optimization, driving candidates from discovery to selection in a fast-paced research environment.

You will guide SAR, collaborate across biology, DMPK and toxicology, mentor scientists, and partner with external collaborators to advance portfolio goals.