Intern - Medicinal Chemistry

1w1 week ago

Cytokinetics

South San Francisco, US · Internship · $44,000 – $50,000

About this role

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company pioneering innovations in muscle biology. We advance a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients with cardiac muscle dysfunction diseases. Each team member plays an integral part in improving patient lives through tenacious, compassionate collaboration.

The annual Cytokinetics Internship Program supports next-generation biotech professionals with meaningful projects. Interns in Medicinal Chemistry support a hit-to-lead project to improve potency and selectivity of small-molecule inhibitors against a biological target. They explore structure-activity relationships around lead scaffolds to inform synthetic design.

Daily work involves evaluating compounds in biochemical and cellular assays to guide design decisions. Interns assist in optimizing physicochemical and early ADME properties like solubility and stability under project scientist guidance. They collaborate closely with colleagues across groups in exploratory research and lead optimization.

Interns participate in designing, synthesizing, purifying, and characterizing novel biologically active molecules. They apply in-silico machine learning models to inform compound design and present data findings in research meetings. The program provides a challenging experience to build a strong biopharmaceutical career foundation.

We celebrate diverse backgrounds and seek candidates excited to add value, even if not meeting every qualification. Review our GDPR policy prior to applying. Our passion anchors in scientific thinking, integrity, and keeping patients front and center.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry required
Prior synthetic organic chemistry lab experience strongly required
Demonstrated expertise in organic synthesis, chromatographic purification methods, and compound characterization using modern analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc.)
Organized, detail-oriented, excellent record-keeping skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and perform well in a team environment

Responsibilities

Support a hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry project aimed at improving the potency and selectivity of small-molecule inhibitors against a defined biological target
Explore structure-activity relationships (SAR) around a lead scaffold to inform synthetic design
Evaluate compounds in biochemical and/or cellular assays and data to guide iterative design decisions
Assist in optimizing physicochemical and early ADME properties (solubility, stability) under guidance from project scientists
Participate in the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel biologically active molecules
Apply in-silico machine learning models to inform compound design
Contribute to exploratory research and lead optimization projects, collaborating closely with colleagues in other groups
Summarize/interpret data and present findings in research meetings

Benefits

Hiring pay range for fully qualified candidates is $22-25/hr
Base pay considers internal equity, geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
Annual Cytokinetics Internship Program provides challenging and rewarding experience
Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects with fresh perspectives