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Director, Discovery Chemistry

Merck
August 14, 2026
Full-time
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
Worldwide
Clinical Research and Development
Role: Director of Discovery Chemistry leading bioconjugate drug discovery projects in diverse therapeutic areas. Responsibilities: develop and mentor scientific teams, guide high-impact research, shape scientific strategy, foster industry collaborations, and promote innovation within the team. Requirements: PhD or Master's in chemistry or related field with 7+ to 13+ years of industry experience; expertise in bioconjugate chemistry, linker and payload design, and drug discovery; proven leadership and project management skills; strong communication and collaboration abilities. Preferred: managerial experience and mentoring track record. HighValue: focus on bioconjugate chemistry, drug conjugates, and cross-functional project leadership; global collaboration and scientific influence; location in South San Francisco with 10% travel.