Medicinal Chemist - Fully Remote | Upto $90/Hr

Mercor; San Francisco (CA); Remote; GBP 62,000 - 92,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercor is seeking a Drug Discovery Scientist for a remote contract engaging in AI-driven research to advance drug discovery efforts. You will design problems for AI models, build data rooms from real data, and craft rigorous evaluation materials.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent, deep expertise in enzymology and structure-guided design, and the ability to work independently and asynchronously on high-quality deliverables. Hourly engagement at $60–$90 per hour, 20–40 hours/week.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industry track record.
• Experience in mechanistic enzymology preferred.
• Experience in structure-guided design and medicinal chemistry desired.

Responsibilities

• Design realistic research problems for AI models in drug discovery.
• Build a data room from real, source-grounded data with every decisive value tracing to a real source.
• Write a grading document that scores a submitted memo on substance, not style or method.
• Validate and run verification and calibration before submission.
• Revise and own the rework if a reviewer requests changes.
• Work independently and asynchronously to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Skills

Enzymology

Structure-guided design

Peptide design

Antibody design

Fragment-based discovery

Medicinal chemistry

Problem definition

Critical reasoning

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Drug Discovery Scientist
Type: Contract
Compensation: $60–$90/hour
Location: Remote
Commitment: 20–40 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

• Design realistic research problems for AI models in drug research and development.
• Build a data room from real, source-grounded data with every decisive value tracing to a real source.
• Write a grading document that scores a submitted memo on substance, not style or method.
• Validate and run verification and calibration before submission.
• Revise and own the rework if a reviewer requests changes.
• Work independently and asynchronously to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Working expertise in mechanistic enzymology, structure-guided peptide or antibody design, fragment-based discovery, or structure-based medicinal chemistry.
• PhD or equivalent industry track record.
• Ability to pose a problem whose answer can be defended rigorously.
• Comfortable judging reasoning quality, not just final answers.

Compensation & Legal

• Hourly contractor