Principal – AD Medicinal Chemist

Deep Origin

. Lead and advance small molecule drug discovery programs from early hit identification through IND-enabling studies .

Posted 10/17/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading small molecule drug discovery programs, with a strong focus on medicinal chemistry strategies, compound optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to manage external partnerships and communicate complex scientific concepts effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

PhD In Organic ChemistrySynthetic Organic ChemistryDrug Discovery Program ManagementStructure-Based Drug DesignCross-Functional Team Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Medicinal ChemistryHit-To-Lead OptimizationCompound OptimizationPotency OptimizationSelectivity OptimizationDMPKSAR InterpretationComputational ChemistryAI-Driven DesignLigand-Based Drug Design

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsIndependent Problem-SolvingCreativityProductivityMentoring

Tools & Technologies

Cheminformatics PlatformsData Science ToolsComputational ModelingMachine Learning

Industry Keywords

IND-Enabling StudiesSmall Molecule DegradersProximity-Inducing ChemistryPredictive ToxicologyADMET Modeling

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and advance small molecule drug discovery programs from early hit identification through IND-enabling studies
Direct work completed at contract research organizations (CROs)
Propose and independently drive medicinal chemistry strategies from hit identification through lead optimization to development candidate selection
Lead chemistry efforts within cross-functional teams including bench biologists, DMPK, non-clinical toxicology, computational science, and ML engineering
Design, prioritize, and guide synthesis of novel compounds using structure-based and ligand-based approaches
Optimize potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and developability
Interpret and integrate SAR, structural biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data
Integrate AI-driven and computational modeling insights into compound design strategies
Mentor internal chemists and external collaborators
Manage external CRO partnerships for high-quality and timely chemistry delivery
Communicate program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership
Author and contribute to patent strategies and applications, scientific publications, and internal reports

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD in Organic Chemistry or a related field with 3-8 years of industry experience in medicinal chemistry
Proven track record of advancing drug discovery programs through key milestones (Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimization)
Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including modern methods and reaction mechanisms
Strong experience in structure-based and ligand-based drug design
Demonstrated ability to optimize compounds for potency, selectivity, and DMPK/safety properties
High level of creativity, productivity, and independent problem-solving ability
Experience managing external CROs and collaborating across disciplines
Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly present complex scientific concepts
Experience working on small molecule degraders, proximity-inducing chemistry (Nice-to-Have)
Experience integrating computational chemistry, machine learning, or AI-driven design into medicinal chemistry workflows (Nice-to-Have)
Background in predictive toxicology or ADMET modeling (Nice-to-Have)
Prior experience contributing to IND-enabling studies or clinical candidate selection (Nice-to-Have)
Familiarity with modern data science tools and cheminformatics platforms (Nice-to-Have)
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; employment visa sponsorship is unavailable

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation aligned with market benchmarks
Equity participation reflecting long-term impact
Remote-friendly culture across Europe and the U.S
Flexible working structure with cross-time-zone collaboration