Principal Scientist in Chemical Induced Proximity

St. Jude; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 138,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital seeks a Principal Scientist to direct our Chemical Induced Proximity Center within the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics.

The role leads strategic drug discovery programs leveraging PROTACs, molecular glues, and other bifunctional approaches, guiding cross-functional collaborations and ensuring translational impact for pediatric diseases. The position requires building and mentoring a high‑performing team, coordinating CROs and licensing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field.
• PhD preferred.
• Ten-plus years of leadership in drug discovery or related field.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Chemical Induced Proximity Center within the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics.
• Lead strategic decisions across small molecule drug discovery programs; manage cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Drive SAR optimization, ADMET/DMPK collaboration, and publication initiatives in high-impact journals.

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Principal Scientist with specialized expertise in drug discovery to direct our Chemical Induced Proximity Center in the highly collaborative Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics.

The World's Brightest Minds Always Innovate

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That's why we provide world-class facilities. State-of-the-art technologies. Extraordinary support. And a collaborative, bench-to-bedside environment where you can see, firsthand, how your science translates into survival for the children we serve. Quite simply, at St. Jude, we encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to finding cures and saving children.

The incumbent will be responsible for driving strategic decisions throughout the various stages of the small molecule drug discovery process focusing on chemically induced proximity platforms. Experience with use of computational tools including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in virtual screening, small molecule design and optimization is preferred.

• Set up the chemistry strategy for projects and advance drug discovery programs by collaboratively interacting cross‑functionally within departmental collaborative centers and various departments at the institution. Lead and manage a team of scientists and large‑scale, multidisciplinary projects through proactive research collaboration, and provide direction in a specific area of expertise.
• Contribute to recruiting and growing the team, guiding and mentoring junior staff.
• Stay at the forefront of induced proximity platforms, including but not limited to PROTACs, molecular glues, and other bifunctional or allosteric modulators.
• Evaluate new technologies, chemical tools, and screening platforms that can accelerate the development of proximity‑based therapeutics.
• Design and optimize focused chemical libraries to identify hits, leads, and drug candidates that induce selective protein interactions and cellular phenotypic changes.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships while ensuring recognition on collaborating publications and patents.
• Lead and manage a number of contract research organizations (CRO) and external chemistry partners across the globe.
• Oversee structure‑activity relationship (SAR) studies to enhance potency, selectivity, and drug‑like properties of candidate molecules. Lead efforts to improve the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicological profiles of compounds in collaboration with ADMET and DMPK teams.
• Serve as functional expert in due diligences for assets in‑licensing and discovery partnerships.
• Responsible for leading publication efforts in high‑impact scientific journals.
• Experience in drug discovery in Pharma/Biotech industry highly preferred.
• Experience with computational design or AI/ML preferred.
• PhD with management experience preferred.

This is a senior leadership role with a focus on advancing cutting‑edge drug discovery programs for childhood catastrophic diseases using the latest approaches in proximity‑based targeting. Specifically, based on the mechanistic basis of disease, our goal is to develop unique chemical approaches (protein degraders, synthetic gene regulators and/or functional effectors) to degrade or manipulate targets relevant to pediatric oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and sickle cell disease.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required.
• PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience is required with a Bachelor's degree.
• Thirteen (13) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.
• Ten (10) years or relevant work experience is required with a PhD.

Better at Work. Better at Life.

When you work at St. Jude, you'll join a highly collaborative work culture that inspires you every day to be your best. With opportunities for learning and growth, you can shape a career path that is right for you while also enjoying all the benefits and stability of working for a world‑class institution. This includes work‑life balance with generous paid time‑off and on‑campus conveniences that make life a little easier. Join us and you'll quickly see why St. Jude is consistently ranked by our employees on Glassdoor as a "Best Place to Work".

Benefits

Your health and well-being are important to us. That's why St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provides employees with high‑quality benefits choices.

We are committed to ensuring our benefits are competitive and affordable. St. Jude continues to cover medical premiums for employees and offers low additional costs for dependents.

View all the benefits offered including Medical & Prescription Drug Plans, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Financial Security, Retirement Plan, Living Well - Employee Wellness Program, Time Off Programs, Educational Benefits, Family Friendly Benefits, and Benefits Unique to St. Jude.

Have More in Memphis

Get the best of big‑city amenities mixed with all the charm of a small‑town feel when you live in Memphis. From our world‑renowned music scene to our eclectic mix of food and people. Memphis is a place our employees are proud to call home. Our region enjoys a cost of living more than 20% lower than the national average and our state places no personal income tax on wages. Plus, Memphians spend five hours less per year in their daily commute compared to the national average.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $138,320 - $262,080 per year for the role of Principal Scientist in Chemical Induced Proximity.

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

No Search Firms

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.

All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.