Medicinal Chemist - Taste Modulation

Givaudan; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Major Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Short-Term Disability Insurance

401(k) with High Matching

Family Leave

Job summary

Givaudan, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, invites a highly skilled medicinal chemist to contribute to the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of small molecules for discovery programs. You will collaborate with biologists, analytical and computational teams to advance drug-like compounds and lead optimization efforts.

The role requires 4+ years in medicinal/organic chemistry, a PhD or MS in a related field, and hands-on expertise in synthesis, characterization (NMR/MS), and modern

Qualifications

• Master of Science or higher in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry is required.
• Hands-on expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and modern purification methods.
• Familiarity with medicinal chemistry concepts and SAR-driven optimization.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry or molecular modeling tools.
• Practical experience with compound characterization techniques, including NMR and mass spectrometry.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize small molecules to support discovery programs.
• Collaborate with biology, analytical, computational chemistry, and application teams; troubleshoot synthetic challenges.
• Support scale-up activities and coordinate with external CRO partners; contribute to patent filings.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

NMR spectroscopy

Mass spectrometry

Computational chemistry

Molecule design

SAR-driven optimization

Purification methods

Education

Master of Science or higher in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry

Job description

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with our customers, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There’s much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 17,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with. In the USA, we develop, market and produce a wide array of solutions from our 25 most innovative sites, based across the country. Stretch your skills, create and get inspiration from passionate colleagues. Every day, your energy, your thirst for knowledge, and your creativity will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

We deliver differentiating technologies for flavor, taste, natural functional and nutritional ingredients, and integrated solutions to our customers, driving long‑term and sustainable success! Our multi-disciplinary scientific team provides us with a powerful platform of people, skill diversity, technologies, and tools to accelerate its research and discovery accomplishments.

Reporting to the Head of Explore, and being based onsite in Cincinnati, Ohio, you will join our innovative and multidisciplinary team. You will use your expertise to contribute to the efficient design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of small molecules, peptides, and related compounds to support discovery programs. Necessary to this position will be the ability to collaborate with internal and external specialists in cheminformatics, molecular biology, analytical chemistry and applications.

This is a hands‑on laboratory role requiring proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry. PhD or Master's level in medicinal chemistry or organic chemistry with synthetic and molecule design background. Preferred experience in pharmaceutical industry or other where experience is working with biologists and computational chemists to design new drugs or ligands. This position is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Research and Data Capture: Have a creative and data-driven scientist background and interest in applying your skills to help solve challenges related to taste modulation. Independently design, synthesize, and characterize taste active molecules with suitable toxicology and regulatory profiles. Interpret structure–activity relationship (SAR) data and contribute to compound design strategies. Support hit to lead and lead optimization programs.
• Partner and Collaborate: Work in collaboration with biology, analytical, computational chemistry, and application teams. Troubleshoot synthetic challenges and develop practical, efficient synthetic solutions. Ensure laboratory work is conducted in compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations, consulting with these teams. Contribute to patent filings and assessment of competitor IP landscape.
• Experience and Learn: Maintain a high level of modern medicinal chemistry/drug discovery knowledge, skills and best practices. Participate in project/planning discussions and concisely present results/plans in project team meetings. Support scale‑up activities and coordinate with external CRO partners.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Science or higher education in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry required
• 4+ years of industrial experience in medicinal, organic, or discovery chemistry
• Familiarity with medicinal chemistry concepts and SAR-driven optimization
• Familiarity with computational chemistry or molecular modeling tools
• Hands‑on expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and modern purification methods
• Practical experience with compound characterization techniques, including NMR and mass spectrometry

Benefits include Major Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/LTD/STD/Disability Insurances, Family Leave and a high matching 401k plan.

The established salary range for this position is $100,000-$125,000. Annual Bonus. Actual compensation will depend on individual education, industry experience and qualifications.

Givaudan takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications/certifications and education, and internal equity.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people’s lives.

You work within an inspiring teamwork culture – where you can thrive, collaborate and learn from other talented and passionate people across disciplines, regions and divisions.

Every essence of you enriches our world.

Diversity of perspectives fuels innovation and fosters deeper connections with our employees, customers, and partners. At Givaudan, we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment where every individual's voice is valued and has the power to shape our world. Join us in making a difference together.