Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry - Peptides, Small Molecule, Cancer (Requires Relocatio[...]

Z-Alpha Therapeutics

Boston (MA)

On-site

USD 88,300 - 121,400

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Z-Alpha Therapeutics is seeking a Principal Scientist in Chemistry to lead drug discovery efforts. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, driving projects from discovery to preclinical development. This role requires relocation to Durham, NC, and offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative cancer treatment solutions.

Qualifications

5+ years of relevant industry experience required.
Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry.
Experience with external chemistry vendors.

Responsibilities

Lead design, synthesis, and optimization of drug candidates.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Provide mentorship to junior team members.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Time Management

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Job description

Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry - Peptides, Small Molecule, Cancer (Requires Relocation to Durham)

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Z-Alpha Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of radiotherapeutics targeting key biological pathways for solid tumors. The company has a revolutionary technology platform in the next generation of alpha particle therapy with potential to be a more targeted therapy, increasing efficacy and limiting toxicity compared to competitors in the radiotherapeutics space. The company has a world-class team of scientists with decades of experience and foundational intellectual property that enables the potential to bring multiple drug candidates into the clinic.

** POSITION REQUIRES RELOCATION TO DURHAM, NC **

Position Overview:

We are looking for a highly experienced and innovative Principal Scientist in Chemistry to lead our drug discovery efforts. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry and a proven ability to drive projects from early discovery through preclinical development. This position requires strong leadership, strategic insight, and effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and oversee the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecule drug candidates.
Develop and implement medicinal chemistry strategies to enhance the drug discovery pipeline.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and toxicology, to advance projects.
Utilize structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to inform and guide compound optimization.
Up to 50% lab work is expected.
Analyze complex datasets, interpret experimental outcomes, and present findings at project team and company-wide meetings.
Maintain rigorous records of experiments, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Provide scientific guidance and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
Establish and manage laboratory infrastructure and standard operation process.
Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in medicinal chemistry to inform project strategies.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, with proficiency in multi-step syntheses and retrosynthetic analysis of complex molecules.
Demonstrated ability to creatively employ structure- and/or ligand-based drug design to enhance the potency of lead compounds.
Extensive knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles with proven track record of leading drug discovery projects with successful outcomes.
Highly organized, with strong time-management skills and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing project landscapes.
Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
Experience with interacting with external chemistry vendors.
Excellent communication and leadership skills

Join us at Z-Alpha Therapeutics and contribute to innovative solutions that redefine the landscape of cancer treatment!

Required location OR relocation to Durham

Seniority level