Senior Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Role Summary

Global Discovery Chemistry at BR is seeking a passionate and innovative Senior Principal Scientist with a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology or analogous degree. Based in San Diego, you will play a pivotal role in discovering and developing novel therapies across multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities. This is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary position that offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on unmet medical needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and broad team leadership on drug discovery and/or early development projects and initiatives and/or leads broad technology development areas.
• Lead and/or contribute to multidisciplinary project teams focused on drug discovery across various disease areas and modalities.
• Design and execute medicinal chemistry strategies to deliver high-quality clinical candidates.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including computational chemists, biologists, protein scientists and pharmacologists.
• Apply state-of-the-art data analysis and digital tools to interpret complex data, develop hypotheses, and design novel molecules.
• Drive innovation by initiating new projects, exploring emerging technologies, and contributing to the development of the exploratory portfolio.
• Recognize and leverage external collaboration opportunities to advance drug discovery programs and emerging areas of interest.
• Document and communicate scientific findings through patents, publications, and presentations.
• Mentor and coach scientists, fostering their development and enhancing their impact on projects.
• Finds opportunities to delegate and empowers others; has strong self-awareness.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of drug discovery experience in a pharmaceutical and/or biotech setting.
• Proven track record in medicinal chemistry, including successful advancement of projects to clinical candidate nomination.
• Expertise in small molecules, bifunctional molecules, and cell-targeted conjugates including siRNA.
• Hands on experience with conjugation techniques and solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides is a plus.
• Strong understanding of biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and structure-based drug design.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing scientific talent.
• Innovative problem-solving skills and a mindset open to diverse thinking.
• Interest in emerging technologies such as data science and automation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts and strategies.
• Experience working with external chemistry teams and CROs.
• Hands-on experience with complex and novel therapeutic modalities (e.g., degraders, peptides, ADCs, xRNA) is highly desirable.

Skills

• Medicinal chemistry design and execution
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Leadership and mentorship
• Communication of scientific concepts
• External collaboration and CRO management

Education

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field