Research Scientist I / II – High Throughput Chemistry

Iambic; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading pay

Company-paid healthcare

Flexible spending accounts

Voluntary life insurance

401K matching

Uncapped vacation

Job summary

Iambic Therapeutics in San Diego, CA is seeking a skilled Research Scientist to join the Discovery Chemistry team. You will design, optimize, and execute high-throughput experiments to accelerate compound library campaigns, leveraging automation and HTE platforms.

The role requires a strong background in organic synthesis, catalysis, and reaction development, with collaboration across chemistry, biology, AI/ML, and software groups to deliver impactful results.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or MS with substantial industry experience.
• Large experience with High Throughput Chemistry and parallel synthesis.
• Experience with automation, robotics, and automated analytical/purification systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute parallel synthetic methods to create large compound libraries.
• Develop novel synthetic methodologies with automation compatibility and HTE scalability.
• Translate routes from bench-scale to high-throughput automated processes.
• Oversee operation and advancement of the chemistry toolkit and automated synthesis equipment.
• Analyze results and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
• Ensure lab work follows safety protocols and ELN data practices.
• Collaborate across chemistry, biology, software, and automation teams.
• Identify bottlenecks and troubleshoot automated processes to ensure continuity.

Skills

High Throughput Chemistry

Parallel Synthesis

Automation familiarity

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

MS in Organic Chemistry

Tools

Laboratory automation

Liquid handling robotics

Automated analytical systems

Automated purification systems

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Scientist to join our Discovery Chemistry team at Iambic Therapeutics in San Diego, CA. In this role, the ideal candidate will exploit their strong background in organic synthesis, catalysis, and reaction development to design, optimize, and execute high-throughput experiments to drive compound library campaigns. The successful candidate will deliver impact cross-functionally with chemistry, biology, compound management, AI/ML, and software teams across the discovery pipeline, leveraging Iambic's HTE platform to accelerate and strengthen our programs. This position will be based in our San Diego Headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute parallel synthetic methods to generate large, high-quality compound libraries.
• Identify, develop, and optimize novel synthetic methodologies with a focus on automation compatibility and HTE scalability.
• Apply newly developed synthetic routes from traditional bench-scale chemistry to robust, high-throughput, and automated processes.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and continuous advancement of our chemistry toolkit and automated synthesis equipment.
• Analyze research outcomes and library compound data and clearly communicate results and findings to cross-functional project teams.
• Ensure all laboratory work is conducted in accordance with established safety protocols and best laboratory and ELN data recording practices.
• Function as a core member of an interdisciplinary scientific team (chemistry, biology, software, and automation).
• Proactively identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot automated processes, and develop solutions to ensure business continuity.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 0-5 years of industry experience or MS in Organic Chemistry with a minimum of 8 years of industry experience.
• Strong command of modern organic synthetic methods.
• Direct hands-on experience with High Throughput Chemistry and/or Parallel Synthesis.
• Experience with laboratory automation, liquid handling robotics, and automated analytical and purification systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and dynamic research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must be able to articulate complex scientific concepts, technical challenges, and results clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where priorities and synthetic targets may shift rapidly based on biological data.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience with Direct-to-Biology (D2B) strategies for drug discovery.
• Familiarity with the principles of medicinal chemistry.
• Prior experience mentoring interns or junior colleagues.

About Iambic Therapeutics

Iambic is a clinical-stage life-science and technology company developing novel medicines using its AI-driven discovery and development platform. Based in San Diego and founded in 2020, Iambic has assembled a world-class team that unites pioneering AI experts and experienced drug hunters. The Iambic platform has demonstrated delivery of new drug candidates to human clinical trials with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. Iambic is advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class and first-in-class clinical assets, both internally and in partnership, to address urgent unmet patient need. Learn more about the Iambic team, platform, pipeline, and partnerships at iambic.ai.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Our mission is to deliver better medicines through innovations in AI-based discovery technologies. The culture and work at Iambic Therapeutics are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our people and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where a diverse group of talented humans work together to discover therapeutics and create technologies.

Pay And Benefits

• industry leading competitive pay
• company paid healthcare
• flexible spending accounts
• voluntary life insurance
• 401K matching
• uncapped vacation

Compensation Range: $113K - $156K