Associate Director/Director, Medicinal Chemistry

6d6 days ago

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.

Cambridge, US · Full-time · $154,000 – $236,500

About this role

Flagship Labs 111 Inc. (FL111) is a privately held biotechnology company pioneering a novel platform harnessing innovations in chemistry, computation, and data science for new therapeutic modalities beyond traditional small molecules. FL111 is backed by Flagship Pioneering to guide from platform validation to patient impact. We seek collaborative, creative problem solvers passionate for impact.

The role leads chemistry efforts for small-molecule drug discovery programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate selection. Work closely with biology, DMPK, computational chemistry, and FSP partners as a hands-on scientific leader. Ideal candidate has deep medicinal chemistry expertise and track record in heterobifunctional or induced proximity programs.

Day-to-day involves designing strategies leveraging structure- and property-based principles, driving compound optimization by integrating SAR, ADME/DMPK, pharmacology data. Manage external CRO partnerships for synthetic routes, timelines, and compound delivery. Collaborate iteratively with biology teams in design, synthesize, test, learn loops.

Join a team environment fostering relentless problem-solving and cross-functional partnerships, including computational and IP teams for patent support. Contribute to Flagship Pioneering's mission of inventing platforms transforming human health. Advance innovations backed by resources for real patient impact.

Requirements

PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry with 8-10+ years of industry experience in small molecule drug discovery within a pharma or biotech environment
Track record of delivering on small molecule heterobifunctional and/or induced proximity programs (e.g., PROTACs)
Deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, including synthetic organic chemistry, SAR analysis, ADME, pharmacokinetics, and drug design principles
Proven ability to lead projects and cross-functional teams
Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts
Experience managing external CROs and contributing as a chemistry leader

Responsibilities

Design and implement medicinal chemistry strategies from early discovery through candidate selection, leveraging structure- and property-based design principles
Drive compound design and optimization by integrating SAR, ADME/DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data to meet target product profiles
Partner with computational chemistry teams to apply computational approaches to molecular design and optimization
Manage and direct external CRO partnerships, including oversight of complex synthetic routes, timelines, data quality, and compound delivery and registry
Collaborate with biology teams to interpret data and guide decision-making in a continuous and iterative design, synthesize, test, learn loop
Collaborate with legal and IP teams to draft, review, and support patent filings related to medicinal chemistry innovations