Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry

Nurix; The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Nurix Therapeutics is seeking a medicinal chemist to design and synthesize novel small molecules for patients with unmet medical needs. You will work with computational and structural biology teams to enable structure-based drug design and multidisciplinary data integration.

The role emphasizes SAR-driven optimization, rigorous experimentation, and clear communication within cross-functional teams. Onsite in The Woodlands, TX, with a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• PhD (≤4 years), MS (≥6 years) or BS (≥10 years) in a relevant field.
• Proven ability to design and execute multistep organic synthesis.
• Experience collaborating across cross-functional teams in medicinal chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities optimized for potency and PK.
• Engage in structure-based drug discovery with computational/structural teams.
• Troubleshoot chemistry challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Design and execute high-quality experiments; analyze results to guide next steps.
• Advance SAR studies through compound design.
• Collaborate with experts in computational chemistry, biology, pharmacology and toxicology.
• Stay current with advances in synthetic/medicinal chemistry and apply methods.
• Communicate scientific rationale and results clearly to teams.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Structure-based drug design

Problem-solving in chemistry

Communication skills

Team collaboration

ADME/PK knowledge

Education

PhD with up to 4 years experience

MS with 6+ years experience

BS with 10+ years experience

Job description

Join Nurix's medicinal chemistry group to design and synthesize novel small molecules for patients with unmet medical needs. You'll apply structure-based drug design, supported by our computational and structural biology teams, as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary project team.

Position Description

The Opportunity

• Design and synthesize novel chemical entities optimized for potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy, using modern synthetic methods and creative strategies to access challenging molecules
• Engage in rational structure-based drug discovery enabled by our computational and structural biology group
• Apply strong problem-solving skills to troubleshoot challenges and identify practical solutions
• Design and execute high-quality experiments, critically analyze results, and use data to form hypotheses and guide next steps
• Advance structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies by contributing to compound design
• Collaborate with scientists in computational chemistry, structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics, cellular biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, as well as external collaborators, to integrate multidisciplinary data and advance project objectives
• Stay current with advances in synthetic and medicinal chemistry and apply relevant methods to project work
• Communicate scientific rationale, results, challenges, and recommendations clearly to chemistry colleagues and cross-functional project teams

What You’ll Bring

• PhD with up to 4 years of relevant experience, MS with 6 or more years of relevant experience, or BS or equivalent with 10 or more years of relevant experience
• Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, with demonstrated ability to design and execute complex, multistep organic synthesis
• Strong scientific and synthetic problem-solving skills and the ability to independently troubleshoot challenging chemistry
• Scientific curiosity, creativity, and the ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts, technologies, and approaches
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with demonstrated ability to contribute in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts, results, and conclusions
• Knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles, structure-based drug design, pharmacology, and/or ADME/PK, consistent with prior experience

Salary Range: $130,200 - $141,400

The posted range applies to roles based in The Woodlands, TX area and reflects local market conditions. Where an offer lands within that range depends on the candidate’s relevant experience, technical expertise, and how their background aligns with the role’s requirements.

Location: Onsite – The Woodlands, TX

Fit with Nurix Culture and Values

• Strong team orientation; highly collaborative
• Solutions and results-oriented focus
• Hands-on approach; resourceful and open to diverse points of view

About Nurix Therapeutics

Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted protein degradation medicines, the next frontier in innovative drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and coupled with unparalleled ligase expertise, Nurix’s dedicated team has built a formidable advantage in translating the science of targeted protein degradation into clinical advancements. Nurix aims to establish degrader-based treatments at the forefront of patient care, writing medicine’s next chapter with a new script to outmatch disease.