Associate Director/Director, Discovery Toxicology

Preclinical Sciences       ·      San Francisco, San Diego OR Remote      ·      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

The Toxicology function is a part of the Preclinical Sciences and is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality discovery candidates in the immunology and oncology research TAs. We are currently seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as an Associate Director of Toxicology. Our ideal candidate will have a proven track record in prominent roles supporting cross-functional Drug Discovery project teams. She/he is able to leverage their deep insights into cellular and pathway mechanisms, coupled with knowledge of toxicology in order to provide direction to improve the quality of therapeutics. 

• Work in interdisciplinary teams as a tox rep to provide safety support to drug discovery/ development teams from target identification to IND submission
• Work as part of a team of safety assessment scientists and more broadly DMPK, pathology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry experts to implement discovery toxicology strategy to enable the selection and progression of optimized drug candidates
• Apply novel toxicity mechanism-based assays and integrated models to support early target safety and chemistry evaluation.
• Career development opportunities exist to represent Atomwise Drug Safety Research on internal and external scientific working forums

Key Responsibilities

• As toxicology representative to core project teams, provide expert advice and direction to improve the quality of therapeutics selected for further development based on proactive risk assessment of target- and chemotype-related toxicities
• Develop comprehensive target safety reviews with risk mitigation plan for early drug discovery project teams based on literature and available predictive tools.
• Apply state of the art in silico, in vitro, and in vivo de-risking strategies to aid in the selection and optimization of small molecule therapeutics
• Lead the development of early hypothesis-driven investigation into mechanisms of toxicity for the proactive management of potential safety liabilities and communication of impact to teams

Required Qualifications

• A PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, physiology and biochemistry with 8+ years of experience or MS/PharmD with 11+ years of pharmaceutical experience
• Experience in the drug discovery process from the pharmaceutical industry, with an understanding of scientific partner lines outside of safety and toxicology
• Demonstrated project team experience and ability to work effectively in a matrixed, global environment as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong problem solver who is highly organized with the ability to thrive in an environment with rapidly changing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to develop solid, long term relationships and the ability to influence others, and adept at working across multiple cross-functional areas.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• DABT certification a plus, but not necessary.

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
• Generous parental leave
• Flexible work schedule
• 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.

Work authorization to work in the US is required.

Pay range for this role is between $164,400 – $180,000

Please click here to apply.