Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

PsiThera is seeking a talented and creative medicinal chemist with strong hands-on experience advancing discovery programs from hit identification through development candidate nomination. This candidate will bring deep expertise in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, with a demonstrated track record optimizing peptide therapeutics for oral delivery, particularly macrocyclic peptides. The role requires practical experience designing and synthesizing complex molecules, peptides and peptidomimetics; applying structure-activity relationship principles to improve potency, selectivity, stability, permeability, and ADME/PK properties; and using multiparameter optimization to balance efficacy, developability, and oral exposure. The candidate must be able to integrate computational modeling, structural information, biophysical data, and biological assay results into clear design hypotheses and translate those hypotheses into executable chemistry plans. Appointable candidates will also have experience directing chemistry CRO, leading teams and communicating decisions clearly to cross-functional teams to progress programs efficiently toward development candidates.


Key Responsibilities

• Advance peptide therapeutics, especially macrocyclic peptides and small molecule programs from screening to development candidate selection.

• In collaboration with CADD, biophysics, structural biology, DMPK and biology design molecules to achieve program goals and meet timelines.

• Implement structure-based and computational-based drug design to optimize peptide and small molecule therapeutics. Prioritize and implement synthesis, manage teams of external synthetic chemists to ensure timely delivery of complex target molecules for biological testing.

• Ensure data integrity and project success by interpreting analytical results to confirm compound quality.

• Stay current with chemistry, medicinal chemistry and project-relevant literature as well as with new patent application filings.

• Lead research team or serve as medicinal chemistry lead from concept through lead optimization toward development candidate selection.

Qualifications

• Education: BS, MS or PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a closely related field.

• Experience: 5-10 years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with a proven track record of advancing molecules from hit to development candidate selection.

• Demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry, including proficiencies in both automated solid-phase peptide synthesis, and solution-phase small molecule synthesis.

• Demonstrated expertise in medicinal chemistry, analyzing data, designing molecules and implementing synthesis to optimize both peptides and small molecules for oral delivery.

• Deep knowledge of macrocyclic peptides optimization, including properties required for oral administration.

• Proficient in structure-based ligand design to guide peptide and small molecule optimization.

• Experience with computational modeling and simulation for design and optimization of peptides and small molecules.

• Experience utilizing peptide informatics tools for SAR

• Familiarity with machine learning and AI-driven platforms in drug discovery.

• Experience leading and managing teams of external chemists

• Experience with leading, co-leading research project teams or as medicinal chemistry lead.Hands-on and collaborative attitude with proven ability to work across drug discovery disciplines, including biology, structural biology, computational chemistry and biophysics.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to inspire, collaborate and lead in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with a strong passion for learning new concepts and technologies.

Additional Qualifications

• Familiarity with library-based screening technologies (DEL, mRNA display , phage display) and direct experience with screen follow-up.

• Experience with progressing programs through lead optimization for immunology targets.

$170,000 - $200,000 a year

PsiThera is creating better therapeutics through an integrated molecular design paradigm that leverages best-in-class physics-based and AI technologies honed through decades of research and innovation. Our focus is first-in-class inflammation and immunology (I&I) small molecule therapeutics. We have assembled a diverse team with extensive experience across disciplines ranging from physics and computer science to chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and structural biology. This continuum of complementary skills drives our scientific vision to deliver meaningful therapeutics to patients in need. We are patient-inspired, perseverant, synergistic, supportive, intrepid, and inclusive. If you're passionate about advancing medicine in a fast-paced, innovative environment, and eager to contribute to a team that blends advanced computation with drug discovery, PsiThera might be the perfect fit for you.


At PsiThera, we are a lean, high-performing team dedicated to pushing boundaries and achieving growth-both personally and scientifically. We seek individuals who are smart, collaborative, and thrive in a dynamic, early-stage biotech environment.


Read More About Us


• Our Story:


• Team:


Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package including 401k match

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of novel therapeutics

• Work with a talented and passionate team of scientists

• Be a part of a cutting-edge company that is revolutionizing drug discovery

Psivant Therapeutics, Inc. (d/b/a PsiThera) is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.


Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes and kindly request that recruiters do not contact our team regarding this job posting. If a resume is submitted without a prior agreement, we will not be obligated to pay any referral or placement fees. Thank you for your understanding!

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.