Medicinal Chemistry Intern

1d1 day ago

Cytokinetics

South San Francisco, US · Full-time · $70,000 – $80,000

About this role

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company building on over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology. The company advances a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. Each team member plays an integral part in advancing the mission to improve patient lives.

The annual Cytokinetics Internship Program supports enthusiastic students and recent graduates with fresh perspectives. Interns contribute to meaningful projects in a challenging and rewarding experience. This builds a strong foundation for a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Interns support a hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry project to improve potency and selectivity of small-molecule inhibitors against a biological target. They explore structure-activity relationships around a lead scaffold and evaluate compounds in biochemical or cellular assays. Guidance from project scientists helps optimize physicochemical and early ADME properties like solubility and stability.

Participants collaborate closely with colleagues in other groups on exploratory research and lead optimization. They apply in-silico machine learning models to inform compound design and summarize data for research meetings. Tenacious, compassionate individuals driven to make a positive impact thrive in this team environment.

Candidates from different backgrounds are celebrated, and the best are sought for open roles. Applicants need not meet every qualification to be considered if excited about contributions at Cytokinetics. Review the General Data Protection Regulation policy prior to applying.

Requirements

Upcoming 3rd or 4th year PhD student preferred
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry required
Prior synthetic organic chemistry lab experience strongly required
Demonstrated expertise in organic synthesis, chromatographic purification methods, and compound characterization using modern analytical techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc.)
Organized, detail-oriented, excellent record-keeping skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and perform well in a team environment

Responsibilities

Support a hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry project aimed at improving the potency and selectivity of small-molecule inhibitors against a defined biological target
Explore structure-activity relationships (SAR) around a lead scaffold to inform synthetic design
Evaluate compounds in biochemical and/or cellular assays and data to guide iterative design decisions
Assist in optimizing physicochemical and early ADME properties (solubility, stability) under guidance from project scientists
Participate in the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel biologically active molecules
Apply in-silico machine learning models to inform compound design
Contribute to exploratory research and lead optimization projects, collaborating closely with colleagues in other groups
Summarize and interpret data and present findings in research meetings

Benefits

Hiring pay range for fully qualified candidates: $35-40/hr
Pay varies based on internal equity, geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
Inclusive hiring: applicants encouraged to apply if excited about contributions even if not meeting every qualification