Principal/ AD Medicinal Chemist
Deep Origin
Summary
We are seeking a Principal/AD Medicinal Chemist to lead and advance small molecule drug discovery programs from early hit identification through IND-enabling studies. This is a senior, hands-on scientific leadership role requiring deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. The candidate will direct work to be completed at a CRO.
Job description
This position calls for a highly creative and experienced chemist who can independently design and execute medicinal chemistry strategies while contributing to the integration of computational and AI-driven approaches into drug discovery workflows. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical depth with the ability to guide internal teams and external partners toward impactful outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Propose and independently drive medicinal chemistry strategies to progress programs from hit identification through lead optimization to development candidate selection
- Lead chemistry efforts within cross-functional project teams, which include bench biologists, DMPK lead, non-clinical tox lead, computational scientists, ML engineers
- Design, prioritize, and guide synthesis of novel compounds using structure-based and ligand-based approaches to optimize potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics and developability
- Interpret and integrate SAR, structural biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data to drive compound design and progression
- Contribute to and integrate AI-driven and computational modeling insights into compound design strategies
- Serve as a technical leader and mentor for internal chemists and external collaborators
- Manage external CRO partnerships to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of chemistry objectives
- Communicate program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership
- Author and contribute to patent strategies and applications, scientific publications, and internal reports
Requirements
- PhD in Organic Chemistry or a related field with 3-8 years of industry experience in medicinal chemistry
- Proven track record of advancing drug discovery programs through key milestones (Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimization)
- Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, including modern methods and reaction mechanisms
- Strong experience in structure-based and ligand-based drug design
- Demonstrated ability to optimize compounds for potency, selectivity, and DMPK/safety properties
- High level of creativity, productivity, and independent problem-solving ability
- Experience managing external CROs and collaborating across disciplines
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly present complex scientific concepts
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Equity participation
- Remote-friendly culture
- Flexible working structure
Company overview
Deep Origin is a pioneering AI-driven biotechnology company founded in 2022 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California. The company specializes in developing advanced computational platforms and AI-powered tools to accelerate early-stage drug discovery and life sciences research. Deep Origin's technology focuses on helping scientists navigate engineering and operational challenges in R&D by providing sophisticated software solutions that handle SciOps, allowing researchers to concentrate on scientific discovery. Their platform integrates AI, physics-based modeling, and cloud computing to enable predictive simulations of biological systems, from atomic interactions to cellular physiology. The company's flagship products include the Deep Origin Data Hub for integrated data management and analysis, and Balto, an AI assistant specifically designed for drug discovery workflows. Deep Origin's mission is to untangle the complexity of life sciences and accelerate the pace of therapeutic development by combining cutting-edge computational methods with biological insights.