Principal Scientist / Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry

6d6 days ago

Kymera Therapeutics

Watertown, US · Full-time · $145,000 – $240,000

About this role

Kymera is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering targeted protein degradation (TPD) to develop medicines addressing critical health problems. The role drives medicinal chemistry for an industry-leading pipeline of oral small molecule degraders, focusing on immunological diseases. Founded in 2016, Kymera has advanced the first degrader into the clinic.

Drive state-of-the-art multi-parameter medicinal chemistry optimization using creativity, innovation, data analysis, and literature. Contribute to compound design, synthetic route identification, and hit/lead finding with structure-based drug design and fragment-based discovery. Lead efforts from early target validation through late-stage optimization toward IND-track nomination.

Work guided by Pioneer, Collaborate, and Belong principles: courageous and rigorous mission to improve patients’ lives, trust and transparency with data-driven decisions, and inclusivity where differences are valued. Function as part of multi-disciplinary project teams with genuine camaraderie. Lead and manage CRO chemistry teams through clear communication.

Represent the company effectively in scientific matters externally while contributing beyond medicinal chemistry. Thrive as a strategic leader and hands-on problem solver in a fast-paced environment. Join a recognized top workplace advancing revolutionary degrader medicines.

Requirements

PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry with 8+ years of experience or 10+ years of experience as a medicinal chemist/project leader in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry with a track-record of leading/contributing to research projects towards IND-track nomination
Extensive knowledge of modern medicinal chemistry strategies for the optimization of ADME, biochemical, pharmacological and safety
Excellent synthetic organic chemistry skills and creativity
Proven ability as chemistry leader, contributing beyond med chem as part of a multi-disciplinary project team
Proven ability as chemistry leader on validating or prioritizing targets with conclusive data package
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
Willingness to be both a strategic leader and a hands-on problem solver
Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task in an extremely fast-paced environment with changing priorities while maintaining attention to detail

Responsibilities

Drive state-of-the-art multi-parameter medicinal chemistry optimization with creativity, innovation, in-depth analysis of data, and existing literature information
Contribute to compound design and synthetic route identification for all portfolio projects
Lead medicinal chemistry efforts on validating targets at early stage to clear decision point
Apply comprehensive approach to hit/lead finding including structure-based drug design and fragment-based drug discovery
Lead medicinal chemistry efforts from hit identification through late-stage optimization towards IND-track nomination
Provide effective leadership and management of CRO chemistry teams through excellent synthetic and medicinal chemistry skills with clear and open communication
Lead medicinal chemistry efforts and contribute beyond med chem as part of a multi-disciplinary project team
Represent the company effectively in scientific matters to external organizations

Benefits

Pioneer courageous, resilient, and rigorous mission to improve patients’ lives through revolutionary degrader medicines
Foster trust, transparency, shared goals, data-driven decisions, and genuine camaraderie
Promote inclusivity, curiosity, and recognition so people are valued, seen, and heard
Recognized as one of top workplaces for several years