Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Science        ·      San Francisco       ·      Full time

Company Overview

Atomwise is a technology-enabled pharmaceutical company leveraging the power of AI to revolutionize small molecule drug discovery. The Atomwise team invented the use of deep learning for structure-based drug design; this technology underpins Atomwise’s best-in-class AI discovery engine, which is differentiated by its ability to find and optimize novel chemical matter. Atomwise has extensively validated its discovery engine, delivering success in over 185 projects to-date including a wide-variety of protein types and numerous “hard-to-drug” targets. Atomwise is building a wholly owned pipeline of small-molecule drug candidates, with three programs in lead-optimization and over 30 programs in discovery. The company has raised over $174 million from leading venture capital firms to advance its mission to make better medicines, faster.  

Role Summary

We are currently seeking an exceptional individual to join our growing Medicinal Chemistry team as Senior Director. The candidate will be a motivated, independent researcher with deep expertise in molecular design, particularly in Structure-Based Drug Design techniques as applied to a disciplined medicinal chemistry effort. You will have a proven track record of success in small molecule drug discovery from initiation to IND submission. 

The successful candidate will lead and mentor a group of talented medicinal chemists and support the ongoing growth of this team. Additionally, you will support the advancement of projects from inception to clinical proof of concept against a portfolio of pre-clinical discovery projects. This includes your direct leadership of drug discovery programs and strategic oversight of other programs through leaders in your team. The successful candidate will collaborate with Medicinal Chemists, Computational Chemists, ADME/DMPK, Biology and other key functions to support the advancement of our portfolio. The successful candidate will apply their design skills and bring broad insight of chemistry and other disciplines to bear on advancing our drug discovery projects. He/she will have a sharp focus on designing molecules in optimal drug-like space. Strong people and mentoring skills and the ability to thrive in a team, goal driven and time-sensitive environment, are key attributes.

The position demands excellent people skills, a can-do-now attitude, and the ability embrace our fast-paced, team environment. The position reports to the CSO.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A proven track record of supervising Ph.D. level scientists to high levels of productivity, whilst improving the skills and knowledge of direct reports through mentorship and focused development activities
• Deep knowledge of protein-ligand interactions, conformational and structural analysis.
• Expertise in partnering closely with computational chemists through appropriate use of computational tools and models as well as visualization applications.
• Significant experience, knowledge and expertise applying SBDD techniques and using 3D computational solutions (Maestro, MOE, ICM-Pro, Flare,) to improve potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles of lead molecules both independently, and in parallel as part of multi-parameter optimization in ideal drug-like space.
• A demonstrated successful track record of leading Chemistry and project teams that progressed drug candidates into clinical development is required.
• Deep knowledge of physicochemical properties as they relate to drug design and application of ligand efficiency (LE) and lipid ligand efficiency (LLE) principles to focus on molecules in ideal drug-like space.
• Demonstrated expertise using complex data-visualization solutions (e.g. Stardrop, Vortex, Live Design, RGate, Data Warrior, 3DX, D360, Torx, ICM-chemist etc) to inform new compound design.
• Expert knowledge of modern methods of synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
• Capability to manage cross functional discovery teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills for developing creative, innovative solutions, and meeting project objectives.
• Extensive experience in driving external chemistry teams at CRO’s
• Proven track record of scientific contributions to projects, including co-inventorship on patents.  Senior or co-authorship on publications and presentations is required.
• Highly effective and clear communication of design hypotheses, SAR analysis, and structural designs to address key issues.
• Strong leadership skills with excellent interpersonal skills
• Scientific creativity, independent thought and decision-making ability.
• Oustanding written, verbal and presentations skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
• Minimum 15 + years of industry experience in biotech or pharmaceutical setting. 

Compensation & benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Stock compensation plan – you’ll be an Atomwise co-owner
• Platinum health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k with 4% match
• Funding for professional development and conference attendance
• Flexible work schedule
• Generous parental leave
• High performance culture
• Great colleagues

Atomwise is an equal opportunity employer and strives to foster an inclusive workplace.  Our mission is to develop better medicines faster, and we know that we need a diverse team to develop medicines that serve diverse populations.  Accordingly, Atomwise does not make any employment decisions (including but not limited to, hiring, compensation, and promotions) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

We strongly encourage people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Please click here to apply.