Executive Director - Medicinal Chemistry

6d6 days ago

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

GB · Full-time · £220,000 – £350,000

About this role

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company dedicated to innovating life-changing medicines for serious diseases in neuroscience and oncology. The Executive Director, Head of Discovery Chemistry provides scientific leadership and strategic direction for small-molecule drug discovery from target validation through candidate nomination. This role ensures delivery of high-quality, differentiated molecules across Neuroscience and Oncology programs.

The position integrates medicinal, computational, and AI/ML-enabled drug design to maximize technical and clinical success. Responsibilities include defining Discovery Chemistry strategy aligned with portfolio priorities, emphasizing molecule quality, translation, and long-term value. Rigorous molecular design standards address potency, selectivity, CNS exposure, safety margins, and developability.

Lead global Discovery Chemistry efforts, overseeing internal teams and external partners in structure-based design and AI/ML platforms. Drive timely candidate nominations with chemistry readiness for IND-enabling activities. Ensure quality due diligence in chemistry for corporate development evaluations.

Join a patient-focused, science-driven organization headquartered in Dublin with worldwide R&D labs and manufacturing. Pioneer advancements in a robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics. Represent Discovery Chemistry at the Research leadership level.

Requirements

Expertise in small-molecule drug discovery from target validation through candidate nomination
Proficiency in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, and structure-based drug design
Experience integrating AI/ML-enabled platforms to accelerate drug design cycles
Knowledge of molecular design for potency, selectivity, CNS exposure, safety, and developability
Leadership in discovery programs within neuroscience and oncology therapeutic areas
Track record overseeing discovery formulation and synthesis for development transitions
Ability to conduct due diligence in chemistry for corporate development

Responsibilities

Serve as global head of Discovery Chemistry with end-to-end accountability for small-molecule discovery programs from hit identification through candidate nomination
Define and execute a Discovery Chemistry strategy aligned with portfolio priorities in Neuroscience and Oncology
Ensure rigorous molecular design standards addressing potency, selectivity, CNS exposure, safety margins, and developability
Lead and integrate medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, and structure-based design capabilities across internal teams and external partners
Oversee state-of-the-art and future-facing disciplined use of AI/ML-enabled drug design platforms
Ensure quality of due diligence activities within chemistry and discovery domain of corporate development evaluations
Drive timely and high-confidence candidate nominations, ensuring transfer and chemistry readiness for IND-enabling activities