Director/Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

2w2 weeks ago

Iambic Therapeutics

San Diego, US · Full-time · $196,000 – $280,000

About this role

We seek an accomplished and creative medicinal chemistry leader with a proven track record of success in advancing drug discovery programs, setting scientific strategy, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver impact. Candidates should be motivated to work in an intensely collaborative, multidisciplinary, team-based setting. This position will be on-site at our San Diego Headquarters.

The role will entail leading drug discovery projects and coordinating a medicinal chemistry team with internal and external experimental capabilities. Proactively interface with diverse teams working on automated experimentation, ML-driven molecular generation, property predictions, and bioassay data generation. Drive molecular discovery efforts to deliver development and clinical candidates.

Act as a liaison between Iambic Therapeutics, CROs, and other external collaborators, including partnered research projects. Work closely with AI/ML teams to develop and implement relevant predictive models. Influence the use of computational methods and leverage automated synthesis and high-throughput experimentation capabilities.

Contribute to platform development by collaborating with AI/ML and chemistry automation teams to enhance processes and accelerate the design–make–test cycle. Communicate project updates clearly to the broader team and key stakeholders. Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and teamwork as a senior member of the Chemistry research group.

Iambic Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing novel medicines using its AI-driven discovery platform. The company advances a pipeline of potential best-in-class clinical assets to address unmet patient needs.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 15+ years of Pharma/bio-tech drug discovery experience (portfolio of programs from hit/lead to development candidate) or MS/BS with 20+ years of experience
Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, evidenced by high-quality publications and patents
Proven cross-functional leadership: integrating biology, DMPK/ADME, CADD, and CMC to build and execute strategic project plans
Practical experience and working knowledge of target protein degradation and associated modalities (molecular glues, PROTACS)
Track record of program leadership advancing compounds through preclinical development (candidate nomination, IND-enabling interfaces, CRO oversight)
Experience working with computational chemists as part of project team in design of drug targets
Strong interpersonal, communication, time management, and leadership skills
Experience mentoring or leading junior chemists

Responsibilities

Lead a group of project scientists and drive molecular discovery efforts to deliver development and clinical candidates
Devise strategies to execute hit ID, identify lead molecules and optimize them for potency, selectivity, and ADME properties using multivariant SAR analysis and hypothesis driven design principles
Act as a liaison between Iambic Therapeutics, CROs, and other external collaborators, including partnered research projects
Influence the prospective use of computational methods and leverage automated synthesis and high-throughput experimentation capabilities
Work closely with AI/ML teams to develop and implement relevant predictive models to aid in the design of new molecules
Contribute to platform development by collaborating with AI/ML and chemistry automation teams to enhance processes and accelerate the design–make–test (DMT) cycle
Communicate project updates clearly and effectively to the broader team and key stakeholders
Work as a senior member of the Chemistry research group and foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and teamwork