Senior Principal Medicinal Chemist — Drug Discovery Leader

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision benefits

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Commuting subsidy

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks a Senior Principal Research Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, to lead design and optimization of small-molecule therapeutics across discovery programs. The role requires deep medicinal chemistry expertise and a track record in fast-paced, matrixed environments, with on-site work in San Diego.

You will guide synthesis, interpret complex data, and collaborate across biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to advance candidates to selection.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with 6+ years of relevant postdoctoral industry experience or Master’s with 9+ years or Bachelor’s with 11+ years.
• Significant experience in medicinal chemistry and small-molecule drug discovery.
• Experience leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams including in matrixed settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small-molecule discovery programs aligned with portfolio and project objectives.
• Design, prioritize, and guide synthesis of novel compounds to optimize potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and developability.
• Interpret SAR, structural biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data to drive compound design and progression.
• Partner with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to advance program goals.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership to internal and external chemistry resources.
• Mentor and develop chemistry team members.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Master’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks a Senior Principal Research Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, to lead design and optimization of small-molecule therapeutics across discovery programs. The role requires deep medicinal chemistry expertise and a track record in fast-paced, matrixed environments, with on-site work in San Diego.

You will guide synthesis, interpret complex data, and collaborate across biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to advance candidates to selection.