Senior Principal Medicinal Chemist - On-Site Leadership

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Annual equity awards

Commuting subsidy

401(k)

Educational assistance including loan复

Company shutdown in Summer and Winter

Matching charitable donations

Paid time off

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is seeking a Senior Principal Research Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry to lead design and optimization of small-molecule therapeutics across discovery programs. You will guide synthesis, interpret SAR and DMPK data, and partner across biology, toxicology, and pharma sciences to drive candidate progression.

The role emphasizes on-site lab work (roughly 75%), scientific leadership, and mentorship within a fast-paced matrixed environment. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 6+ years 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.
• Demonstrated success advancing discovery programs through candidate selection.
• Experience leading cross-functional and matrixed teams; strong communication and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small-molecule discovery programs toward portfolio objectives.
• Design, prioritize, and guide synthesis of novel compounds to optimize potency and developability.
• Interpret SAR, structural biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data to drive design.
• Partner with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharma sciences to advance goals.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership to internal and external chemistry resources.
• Mentor and develop chemistry team members.
• Communicate strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support intellectual property strategy with internal stakeholders.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Organic synthesis

Small-molecule drug discovery

Lead optimization

SAR analysis

Compound design

Candidate selection

DMPK/ADME collaboration

Drug property optimization

Patent support

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Master's degree (with 9+ years of experience)

Bachelor's degree (with 11+ years of experience)

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is seeking a Senior Principal Research Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry to lead design and optimization of small-molecule therapeutics across discovery programs. You will guide synthesis, interpret SAR and DMPK data, and partner across biology, toxicology, and pharma sciences to drive candidate progression.

The role emphasizes on-site lab work (roughly 75%), scientific leadership, and mentorship within a fast-paced matrixed environment. A Ph.D.