Machine Learning Scientist/Senior Machine Learning Scientist - Synthesis Planning and Optimization, AI for Drug Discovery

Genentech; New York (NY); On-site; USD 141,000 - 262,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Genentech in New York City seeks a Machine Learning Scientist to drive synthesis-aware molecular design within AI for Drug Discovery. You will build ML methods for retrosynthesis, generation, and optimization, integrating proprietary data to create scalable, chemistries-aware workflows.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent, deep ML expertise (GNNs, RL, PyTorch/JAX), and fluency with cheminformatics tools such as RDKit.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research depth in ML, computational chemistry, chemical engineering or related quantitative field.
• Up to 2 years of industry research experience (Scientist) or 2+ years (Senior Scientist).
• Proven publications or public portfolio of projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop ML methods for synthesis-aware molecular design across retrosynthesis, synthesis planning, molecular generation, and search in synthesizable chemical spaces.
• Integrate proprietary reaction and biochemical data to design next-gen synthesis-aware models and workflows.
• Build robust pipelines for active-learning loops interfacing with automated synthesis platforms.
• Design novel batch synthesis-planning algorithms to maximize chemical-space coverage and efficiency.
• Publish, open-source releases, and present at conferences; collaborate with Roche Genentech researchers and academic partners.

Skills

Machine learning

Linear algebra

Probability

Optimization

Graph neural networks

Sequence models

Reinforcement learning

Python

PyTorch

JAX

Scientific software development

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

RDKit

OpenEye

Job description

Benefits

#ComputationCoE

#tech4lifeComputationalScience

#tech4lifeAI

The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche. Advances in AI, data, and computational sciences are transforming drug discovery and development. Roche’s Research and Early Development organisations at Genentech (gRED) and Pharma (pRED) have demonstrated how these technologies accelerate R&D, leveraging data and novel computational models to drive impact. Seamless data sharing and access to models across gRED and pRED are essential to maximising these opportunities. The new Computational Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic, unified group whose goal is to harness the transformative power of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist our scientists in both pRED and gRED to deliver more innovative and transformative medicines for patients worldwide. Join the small‑molecule team within AI for Drug Discovery (AI4DD), formerly Prescient Design, at Roche and Genentech’s Computational Sciences Center of Excellence as a Machine Learning Scientist / Senior Machine Learning Scientist in Synthesis Planning and Optimization. You will build ML methods that design molecules we can actually make — closing the loop between generative design and automated synthesis.

The Opportunity:

• Develop and advance machine learning methods for synthesis‑aware molecular design across retrosynthesis, synthesis planning, molecular generation, and search in synthesizable chemical spaces.
• Integrate proprietary reaction and biochemical data to design the next generation of synthesis‑aware models and workflows for hit finding and optimisation.
• Build robust, scalable pipelines for active‑learning loops that interface directly with automated and high‑throughput synthesis platforms.
• Design novel batch synthesis‑planning algorithms that maximise chemical‑space coverage, information gain and experimental efficiency.
• Drive scientific impact through publications, open‑source releases, and conference talks.
• Collaborate widely with computational and experimental researchers at Roche and with academic partners.

Who you are:

• You bring deep machine‑learning expertise with a strong foundation in linear algebra, probability and optimisation, and hands‑on experience in modern machine‑learning approaches such as graph‑neural networks, sequence/language models and reinforcement learning.
• You are familiar with chemistry concepts relevant to synthesis planning and molecular optimisation as well as small molecule data and cheminformatics toolkits such as RDKit or Openeye.
• You are fluent in Python and have experience with modern ML frameworks like PyTorch or JAX as well as scientific software development.
• You hold a PhD or equivalent research depth in machine learning, computational chemistry, chemical engineering or a related quantitative field such as physics or statistics, with up to 2 years of industry research experience (Scientist) or 2+ years of industry research experience (Senior Scientist).
• You have a record of scientific excellence evidenced by journal and conference publications or a public portfolio of relevant projects (e.g. hosted on GitHub/GitLab).

Preferred:

• Experience with retrosynthesis or synthesis‑planning models.
• Experience with automated/high‑throughput synthesis.

If designing molecules that move from screen to synthesis to patients excites you.

Relocation benefits are NOT available for this opportunity.

The expected salary range for this position, based on the primary location of San Francisco, is $147,600 - $274,000 for the ML Scientist, and $167,400 - 310,800 for the Senior ML Scientist. For the primary of location of New York City, $141.100 - $262,100 for the ML Scientist, and $160,100 - 297,300 for the Senior ML Scientist. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

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