Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Psivant Therapeutics, Inc.; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Competitive salary

Job summary

Psivant Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a medicinal chemist to advance peptide therapeutics and small molecule programs from hit identification to development candidate nomination.

The role blends synthetic and medicinal chemistry with computational drug design to optimize potency, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties for oral administration. The candidate will lead a growing medicinal chemistry team, collaborating across computational chemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and biology,

Qualifications

• Education in organic or medicinal chemistry at BS, MS or PhD level.
• Experience advancing molecules from hit to development candidate.
• Proficiency in peptide and small molecule design and synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Advance peptide therapeutics and small molecule programs from screening to development candidate selection.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with CADD, biophysics, structural biology, DMPK and biology teams.
• Guide CRO chemists to deliver complex targets for testing.

Skills

Macrocyclic peptides

Peptide synthesis

Medicinal chemistry

Computational modeling

AI in drug discovery

External CRO management

Communication

Education

BS/MS/PhD in organic or medicinal chemistry

Tools

Spotfire

Job description

PsiThera is seeking a talented and creative medicinal chemist with a strong track record of advancing peptide therapeutics and small molecule drug discovery projects from initial hits through to development candidate selection to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team. Our science and our team are focused on combining medicinal chemistry with our cutting-edge computational platform to rapidly identify and optimize molecules into innovative medicines for patients.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment that integratescomputational andexperimental datato drive our programs to the clinic.The ideal candidate willhave directexperienceoptimizing and advancing novel peptide therapeutics into clinical development,integratingadeep knowledge ofsynthetic andmedicinal chemistrywith insilico drug discovery methodsto performmultiparameteroptimization, including ADME/PKconsiderations, and rapidly advance programs from hitidentificationto leadselectionto development candidatenomination.Asuccessful candidate will havea deep knowledgeindesign and synthesis of peptides and peptidomimetics with enhanced potency, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties,strong synthetic chemistry skills,expertisein creative and practical small molecule design,experience guiding teams of CRO chemistsand excellent communication skills.

This individual willjoinourgrowing medicinal chemistry teamand collaborate closely across functions includingcomputational chemistry, biophysics, structural biology, andbiologyteams to provide actionable insights and strategic guidance.

Key Responsibilities

Advancepeptidetherapeutics, especiallymacrocyclicpeptidesandsmall molecule programsfromscreeningtodevelopment candidateselection

Champion cross-functional collaboration, in collaboration with CADD, biophysics,structural biology, DMPKand biologydesignmoleculesto achieve program goals and meet timelines

Implementstructure-based and computational-baseddrugdesigntooptimizepeptide and small molecule therapeutics;Prioritize and implement synthesis.

Manage teams of external synthetic chemists to ensuretimelydelivery of complex target molecules for biological testing.

Ensure data integrity and project success by interpreting analytical results to confirm compound quality.

Stay currentwithchemistry, medicinalchemistryandproject-relevantliteratureas well aswithnewpatentapplication filings.

Leadresearchteam orserve as medicinal chemistry leadfrom concept through lead optimization toward clinical development.

Qualifications

Education:BS, MS or PhD in organic chemistry, medicinalchemistryor a closely related field

Experience:5-10years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with a proventrack recordof advancingmoleculesfromhit todevelopment candidateselection.

Demonstratedexpertiseinorganic chemistry,includingproficienciesinboth automated solid-phase peptide synthesis, and solution-phase small molecule synthesis.

Demonstratedexpertiseinmedicinal chemistry,analyzing data,designingmoleculesand implementingsynthesistooptimizeboth peptides andsmall molecules for oral delivery.

Deep knowledge of macrocyclic peptidesoptimization, including properties required fororaladministration.

Proficient instructure-based ligand designto guide peptide and small moleculeoptimization.

Experience with computational modeling and simulation for design and optimizationofpeptides and small molecules.

Experienceutilizingpeptide informatics tools for SAR

Familiarity with machine learning and AI-driven platformsin drug discovery.

Experience leading and managing teams of external chemists

Experiencein a leadership roleis preferred, as a project lead or co-lead, as well as functional area lead for medicinal chemistry.

Hands-onandcollaborative attitudewithproven ability to workacrossdrug discovery disciplines, including biology,structural biology,computationalchemistryandbiophysics.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability toinspire,collaborateandleadina multidisciplinary environment.

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with a strong passion for learning new concepts and technologies.

Additional Qualifications

Familiaritywithlibrary-based screening technologies(DEL, mRNAdisplay ,phage display)and direct experiencewithscreen follow-upand fragment-baseddrug discovery.

Experiencewithprogressing programsthrough leadoptimizationfor immunology targets

Familiaritywith molecular modeling tools

Proficiencywith data analysis toolssuch asSpotfire

PsiTherais creating better therapeutics through an integrated molecular design paradigm thatleveragesbest-in-class physics-based and AI technologies honed through decades of research and innovation. Our focus is first-in-class inflammation and immunology (I&I)smallmolecule therapeutics. We have assembled a diverse team with extensive experience across disciplines ranging from physics and computer science to chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and structural biology. This continuum of complementary skills drives our scientific vision to deliver meaningful therapeutics to patients in need. We are patient-inspired, perseverant, synergistic, supportive, intrepid, and inclusive. Ifyou’repassionate about advancing medicine in a fast-paced, innovative environment, and eager to contribute to a team that blends advanced computation with drug discovery,PsiTheramight be the perfect fit for you.

AtPsiThera, we are a lean, high-performing team dedicated to pushing boundaries and achieving growth—both personally and scientifically. We seek individuals who are smart, collaborative, and thrive in a dynamic, early-stage biotech environment.

Competitive salary and benefits package including 401k match

Opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of novel therapeutics

Work with a talented and passionate team of scientists

Be a part of acutting-edgecompany that is revolutionizing drug discovery

PsivantTherapeutics,Inc. (d/b/aPsiThera)is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.