Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

What You Will Contribute To Altos

We are seeking a talented and passionate Medicinal Chemist to join our small-molecule drug discovery team. In this role, you will contribute to advancing science and developing life-changing medicines. You will contribute to all stages of drug discovery, from hit identification to lead optimization, within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities Include:

• Drive Drug Discovery Programs: Contribute to the chemistry efforts for one or more drug discovery programs, focusing on designing drug-like molecules and optimizing compounds towards drug development candidate selection.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work closely with a diverse range of functions, including Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Structural Biology, Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Machine Learning, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Safety, and disease area Biology.
• Design and Synthesize Novel Compounds: Apply innovative structure- and computationally-driven, as well as property-based design principles, to design and/or synthesize analogs for molecular targets. This includes conducting multi-step syntheses, retrosynthetic analysis of complex molecules, and troubleshooting synthetic issues internally or with CRO partners.
• Analyze and Interpret Data: Utilize strong analytical thinking skills to organize and analyze structure-activity relationship (SAR) data sets to drive design ideas and impact program direction.
• Solve Complex Problems: Design compounds that effectively address challenges related to potency, physical properties, and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity).
• Support Chemistry Operations: Execute synthesis within internal laboratories, collaborate with Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and provide broad general chemistry department support.
• Communicate and Present: Deliver effective presentations and articulate scientific findings clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Potential for Leadership: Demonstrate leadership potential towards leading chemistry programs, including managing external CRO chemistry FTEs.

Who You Are

• Education and Experience: You possess a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 6+ years of post-Ph.D. experience, or equivalent and relevant experience in chemical research, preferably within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting.
• Expertise in Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry: You have proven expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, demonstrated by a strong track record of at least one first-authored publication(s) and an understanding of medicinal chemistry principles.
• Drug Discovery Acumen: You have experience in the drug discovery process from hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization.
• Structure-Based Drug Design: Experience with structure-based drug design is highly preferred.
• Strong Communicator: You convey strong verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver effective presentations.
• Problem-Solver: You exhibit contemporary expertise and understanding of all aspects of synthetic organic chemistry, including modern synthetic methodologies, multi-step synthetic route design, compound purification, and characterization.
• Collaborative Team Player: You are highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of the team.
• Results-Oriented: You are fearless in your pursuit of groundbreaking innovations and passionate about creating revolutionary medicines to address unmet patient needs.

The salary range for Redwood City, CA:

• Senior Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry: $195,000 – $264,000
• Senior Scientist II, Medicinal Chemistry: $220,000 – $313,200

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.