Principal Scientist to Associate Director, Chemistry

About Us:

Structure Therapeutics develops life‐changing medicines for patients using advanced structure‐based and computational drug discovery technology. The company’s platform combines the latest advancements in visualization of molecular interactions, computational chemistry, and data integration to design orally available, superior small molecule medicines that overcome current limitations of biologic and peptide drugs. We are advancing a clinical‐stage pipeline of differentiated treatments focused on chronic diseases with high unmet need, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary conditions.

Structure Therapeutics is led by an experienced group of international drug innovators and financed by top-tier global life sciences investors. The company completed an initial public offering (IPO) in February 2023. With offices in California and Shanghai, Structure Therapeutics has the benefit of being at the center of life science innovation in both the US and China and capitalizing on the strengths of each geographic location.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Medicinal Chemist to join our dynamic drug discovery team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The Medicinal Chemist will be responsible for designing and optimizing novel chemical entities with the potential to become therapeutic agents. This role requires a deep understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR), pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and safety, disease biology and biological assays, structure-based drug design and CADD tools/methods as well as the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. The experience in early screening campaign for Hit identification and Hit to Lead is a plus. The experience in managing external CRO (Contract Research Organization) teams is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a dynamic medicinal chemist, drive and direct medicinal chemistry efforts for Lead Identification and Lead Optimization projects, working in concert with cross functional team members.
• Analyze screening data, perform literature reviews, design, propose, and execute medicinal chemistry plans, coordinate chemistry and biology data to support compound progression and patent strategies
• Supervise and direct synthetic chemistry activities at contract research organizations (CROs)
• Serve as a scientific expert in medicinal chemistry with both internal and external partners and provide recommendations regarding new targets and emerging external opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS: 

The ideal candidate will have a strong synthetic and medicinal chemistry background with relevant experience working in a drug discovery environment:

• PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry or its equivalent and 5-10 years industry experience in small molecule medicinal chemistry
• Demonstrated advancement of projects through various stages of drug discovery
• Experience in hit ID and hit to lead is a plus.
• More than three years of experience in managing CRO teams.
• Proficiency in complex problem-solving and expert knowledge of modern methods of synthetic/medicinal chemistry
• Familiarity with structure-based drug discovery, experience of working closely with computational chemists as part of project team
• Track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed publications, patent applications
• Highly motivated, open-minded, results driven individual with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills