Associate Director, Chemistry

Role Summary

The Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry is a research leader who defines and advances medicinal chemistry strategy for oncology drug-discovery programs. The role applies deep expertise in medicinal chemistry and small-molecule design to translate biological hypotheses into differentiated compounds, integrates seamlessly across project teams and functions, and leads project execution with guidance from senior leaders. The position also manages an external team of scientists, advocates for new projects and initiatives, and delivers clear, evidence-based recommendations that support portfolio decisions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for one or more discovery programs, from hit identification and validation through lead optimization and candidate nomination.
• Define compound-design hypotheses and decision criteria by integrating structure–activity relationships, structural biology, computational chemistry, biophysics, pharmacology, DMPK/ADME, safety, and developability data.
• Conceive, prioritize, and oversee the synthesis and testing of compounds that address potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, safety liabilities, and translational requirements.
• Co-lead multidisciplinary project teams with guidance from senior leaders; align scientific objectives, key experiments, milestones, risks, and recommendations across functions.
• Integrate seamlessly across multiple project teams and functions, communicate complex chemistry and drug-discovery concepts clearly, and represent Chemistry in governance and portfolio discussions as assigned.
• Define, propose, and advocate for new projects, technologies, and initiatives that strengthen the research portfolio or accelerate delivery.
• Serve as an expert in medicinal chemistry and a trusted source of scientific judgment; apply a high level of creativity to conceive new programs and progress current projects.
• Contribute to maintaining an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable team environment that supports rigorous experimentation, learning, and high-quality decision-making.
• Manage external chemistry activities, including CRO strategy, study design, compound delivery, data quality, timelines, budgets, and scientific relationships with collaborators.
• Ensure research activities and documentation meet Servier expectations for scientific integrity, intellectual property, laboratory safety, data traceability, and applicable SOPs/OPMs.

Education and Required Skills

• PhD in medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, or a closely related discipline required, with 8+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated record of medicinal chemistry leadership in small-molecule drug discovery, including hypothesis-driven compound design and iterative optimization using multiparameter data.
• Experience contributing in cross-functional discovery teams and converting complex datasets into clear program strategy and decisions.
• Experience managing CROs and external scientific collaborations.
• Strong scientific communication, influence, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to present recommendations to research leadership and governance forums.
• Experience advancing an oncology discovery program through lead optimization.
• Experience with structure-based and/or ligand-based design, and modern data-enabled design workflows.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools or platforms for molecule design and analysis.

Travel and Location

• This role is based in Boston, MA with on-site work expected three days per week
• Potential travel (once per year) to French HQ to engage with global chemistry team members