Associate Scientist/Scientist, Small Molecule Synthetic Organic Chemistry Research and Development

Overview

Excelsior Sciences is seeking a synthetic organic chemist to assist in our mission of reinventing small-molecule discovery and manufacturing through Blocc chemistry—modular, automation-friendly chemistry designed for machines to execute and AI to learn from. Excelsior is building a lean, high-leverage organization at the intersection of chemistry, automation, software, and AI. Based at the Cure building in New York City, our goal is to build a chemistry and AI-native discovery platform in which high-quality experimental data continuously feeds learning systems that help determine what to make and test next—accelerating the cycle of molecular design, experimentation, and discovery.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with cross functional teams (automation engineers, analytical, biology and AI/ML) drive solutions for the development of reaction conditions for the automated synthesis of small molecules.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and optimize synthetic routes for rapid generation of complex building blocks.
• Develop and optimize organic reactions, work-up and SPE purification for automation in HTS fashion.
• Optimize and test conditions to clean up synthesized compounds on solid phase support, including metal scavenging, as well as develop LC conditions for final product purification.
• Help design and test protocols for automation system validations.
• Support continuous automated synthesis of small molecules in HTS fashion.
• Identify and design synthetic routes for complex building blocks. Guide, troubleshoot and oversee CROs on the synthesis of the compounds, as applicable.
• Support analytical chemists on chromatographic methods development and analytical equipment troubleshooting.
• Establish and maintain synthetic chemistry project timeline, and partner with functional leads to coordinate and drive activities.
• Communicate project status and issues to the management and other stakeholders through meetings and key documents.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Organic Chemistry or MS in Organic Chemistry with 3+ years of relevant industrial experience.
• The ideal candidate should have a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry
• Experience in metal-catalyzed organic reactions is desired.
• High throughput screening expertise is a plus.
• Medicinal chemistry and/or process development experience are an asset.
• Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, creativity, and innovation in problem solving.
• Attention to detail and proactive with excellent follow through.
• Ability to work both independently and together with the analytical, automation and biology teams.
• Strong ability to deliver complex objectives under aggressive timelines in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to consistently generate quality data.
• Well versed in analytical technology such as UPLC-MS, NMR, LC-MS, KF, etc. Semi-prep or SFC knowledge is a plus.
• Proficient in purification by column chromatography (manual and automated, such as Biotage or equivalent.
• Automation and AI/ML knowledge is a plus.