Research Scientist | Houston, TX

Peniel Sciences LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A biochemistry research organization in Houston is seeking an experienced professional to lead chemistry and peptide teams in drug discovery. Responsibilities include defining strategies for hit identification, managing activities, and providing expert medicinal chemistry input. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Medicinal/Peptide/Biochemistry, along with proven expertise in peptide chemistry and excellent communication skills. This role offers opportunities for collaboration and inter-disciplinary engagement within a fast-paced research environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal/Peptide/Biochemistry or related areas with thesis and publication(s).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience in late stage optimization and preclinical evaluation of small molecule and peptide drugs.

Responsibilities

• Leads chemistry and peptide chemistry teams in defining strategies for hit identification.
• Responsible for setting strategies, priorities, and managing activities.
• Provides expert medicinal chemistry input in evaluation of external opportunities.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry expertise

Deep understanding of peptide chemistry

Familiarity with analytical techniques

Communication and collaboration skills

PhD in relevant field

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal/Peptide/Biochemistry

Tools

ESI

LC/MS

MALDI/TOF MS

Fluorescence microscopy

NMR

UV/VIS spectrophotometry

Job description

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ph.D. in Medicinal/Peptide/Biochemistry or related areas with thesis and publication(s).
• Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry and in particular peptide and conjugation chemistry principles, and their application within an integrated drug discovery environment.
• Expertise in modern peptide chemistry especially SPPS and NCL.
• Familiarity with modern analytical techniques such as ESI, LC/MS, MALDI/TOF MS, fluorescence microscopy, fluorometry, NMR, CD, and UV/VIS spectrophotometry.
• Expertise with aqueous bioconjugation and non-aqueous conjugation chemistry.
• Knowledgeable in all aspects of drug discovery from target discovery through to early clinical development.
• Demonstrated expertise in hypothesis based medicinal and/or peptide chemistry.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment and matrix organization.
• Experience in late stage optimization and preclinical evaluation of small molecule and peptide drugs, including a detailed knowledge of the roles of DMPK, drug safety, CMC, formulation etc. Able to define and influence small molecule and peptide drug pre‑clinical development strategy.
• Positive can‑do attitude with excellent communication and collaboration skills and ability to work with cross‑functional scientists. Ability to clearly and concisely convey ideas and opinions.
• Highly motivated and flexible with ability to work in fast‑paced environment. Ability to provide novel creative solutions to challenging problems. Desire to learn and tackle new challenges and initiatives.
• Professionally represents the organization in collaborations, partnership discussions, and external relationships and conferences.
• Proven track record of scientific contributions in life science as evidenced by quality and quantity of publications/presentations/inventions and/or products and clinical candidates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads chemistry and peptide chemistry and/or cross‑functional teams (in house and with partners) in defining and implementing strategies for hit identification, hit‑to‑tool optimization, lead optimization and delivery of candidate molecules.
• Responsible for setting strategies, priorities and managing activities to deliver on objectives and milestones.
• Provides expert medicinal chemistry and peptide chemistry input in evaluation of external/partnership opportunities.
• Establishes customized in vitro and in vivo compound testing flow schemes to support programs at all stages.
• Effectively manages internal and external (CRO) chemists. Able to rapidly shift resources and re‑prioritize in response to data.
• Provides expert peptide and conjugation chemistry input in evaluation of external/partnership opportunities, including participating in diligence exercises.
• Demonstrates inter‑disciplinary knowledge of drug discovery (in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, ADME, PK/PD/E, translational research & toxicology) and is able to use this knowledge to influence project strategy.
• Supports early stage programs through a detailed knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art biophysical and biochemical methods and their application to druggability assessment and small molecule hit identification and characterization.
• Writing and submitting grant applications to secure external funding from different agencies and institutes.
• Prepares and organizes data for presentation. Presents written and oral reports to management.
• Publishes original research and review articles in scholarly journals.
• Prepare Patent applications as necessary.

Contact Us

Houston, TX
University of Houston
UH/ERP5 Innovation Center
Labs 121, 121A Office #145