Director/Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry

Director/Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry

1910 Genetics is the only company that has built a synergistic, dual-purpose small and large molecule platform that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), computation, and biological automation to design drug-like molecules better, faster, and cheaper than traditional approaches. Based in the Seaport District of Boston, 1910 Genetics is a Series A stage biotechnology startup that was founded in 2018 and is backed by prestigious investors, including M12-Microsoft’s Venture Fund, Sam Altman – the CEO of OpenAI (makers of ChatGPT), Playground Global, Y Combinator, New Ventures Funds (Scientia Ventures), and many others.

At 1910 Genetics, we first established an understanding of the molecular basis of disease to the granularity at which the world understands sickle cell anemia. This understanding centers biology as our North Star and drives our integration of artificial intelligence (AI), computation, and biological automation to accelerate the design of small molecule and protein therapeutics.

Recent advances in computational technologies have placed historically “undruggable” targets within therapeutic reach. But at 1910 Genetics, we often say “Biology is King,” meaning that computational technologies are only impactful in drug discovery when driven by experimental biology. Our platforms’ scale and breadth empower us to be therapeutic area-agnostic with programs ranging from neuroscience and immunology to infectious disease and oncology, to name a few.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Medicinal Chemistry Director/Senior Director.

The ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

• A track record of effective scientific decision making, people management and organizational effectiveness to advance small molecule drug discovery campaigns from hit discovery to development candidate.
• A broad knowledge and personal experience with diverse target classes.
• Demonstrated the ability to collaborate, build trust and influence across internal multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated the ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and innovative environment effectively coordinating multiple distributed resources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excelled in a multidisciplinary environment both as a leader and member across multiple project teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and execute synthetic and medicinal chemistry strategies.
• Design novel ligands based on internal or literature published data that would contribute to new target initiatives.
• Identify synthetic pain points and advise on optimal solutions.
• Apply emerging synthetic chemistry and purification methodology and technology in the design and synthesis of novel ligands.
• Confirm viability of design proposals from AI research and Computational Chemistry groups or offer alternative routes.
• Establish strategies to leverage external resources and capabilities.
• Effectively plan resource allocation to achieve team goals.
• Provide strategic, scientific, and managerial leadership in an outsourced Medicinal Chemistry environment.
• Effectively manage synthetic CROs to achieve project objectives and be responsible for the quality of compounds delivered.
• Collaborate and contribute to multidisciplinary drug discovery project teams.
• Effectively articulate medicinal chemistry goals and strategies and build consensus across functions.
• Influence the cross-functional scientific growth.
• Provide timely and well-organized reports to project teams.
• Collaborate effectively with the leadership team and other departments and functions.
• Provide expertise and leadership in the management, storage, and quality control of compounds in the internal collection, define best practices and quality standards.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for chemistry-centric needs such as equipment, reagents, hardware, and software.
• Be knowledgeable and effectively utilize software such as Torx, LiveDesign, Spotfire, StarDrop, DataWarrior etc. that are used for review, analysis, and prediction of data to enhance decision making in design and prioritization.
• Establish the intellectual property strategy for each program and work with patent counsels and agents.
• Lead the preparation of patent applications and peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) or equivalent in synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
• 10+ years of experience in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry, with a strong track record of scientific innovation and success in delivering clinical candidates.
• Demonstrated leadership of project teams in a cross-functional environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the drug R&D process with expertise in the application of ADME/PK and pharmacology data to optimize drug candidates.
• A leader with effective organizational, interpersonal, communication and managerial skills who can motivate and inspire others.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency, scientific creativity, independent thought, and ability to effectively collaborate with others.
• Extremely generous equity package coupled with competitive salary.