Vp, Medicinal Chemistry

Structure Therapeutics develops life‐changing medicines for patients using advanced structure‐based and computational drug discovery technology. The company’s platform combines the latest advancements in visualization of molecular interactions, computational chemistry, and data integration to design orally available, superior small molecule medicines that overcome current limitations of biologic and peptide drugs. We are advancing a clinical‐stage pipeline of differentiated treatments focused on chronic diseases with high unmet need, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary conditions.

Structure Therapeutics is led by an experienced group of international drug innovators and financed by top-tier global life sciences investors. The company has completed an initial public offering (IPO) in February of 2023. With offices in California and Shanghai, Structure Therapeutics has the benefit of being at the center of life science innovation in both the US and China and capitalizing on the strengths of each geographic location.

Position Summary

As a key contributor and member of our medicinal chemistry team, this candidate will work closely with senior management team, collaborate with multidisciplinary R&D functional areas and lead discovery and optimization of small molecule therapeutics to advance the company's internal pipeline toward the clinic. Strong experiences with small molecules discovery project are required. The primary responsibility will include devising and implementing medicinal chemistry strategies, leading internal and external chemists in all phases of the drug discovery process, discovering and advancing novel leads into clinical development. 

Essential Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and execute research and medicinal chemistry strategies and approaches for fast progression of small molecule drug discovery projects

• Lead drug discovery programs; discover and advance small molecule drugs into clinical development

• Assume strong scientific and strategic lead role, effectively engage internal key stake holders across multiple R&D functional areas and external experts to work collectively to enable advancement of the internal programs expeditiously from discovery to clinical candidate

• Lead and manage team of chemists, from both internal and external CROs

• Providing strong support to intellectual property strategy and portfolios

• Providing managerial support to one or more employees with overall responsibility of leading, training, and mentoring for effective performance

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD degree in synthetic or medicinal chemistry with a 10+ years of experience in drug discovery
• Deep expertise in small molecule medicinal chemistry (structure-based and/or pharmacophore-based drug design, synthetic organic chemistry, ADME/DMPK optimization)
• Proven track record of advancing small molecule medicinal chemistry programs from hit ID to clinical candidate
• Demonstrated experiences with management of lab-based researchers, research teams, CROs with ability to inspire all the above to give their best
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional groups in a matrix team environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills including ability to communicate scientific information clearly and effectively.
• Successful Hit ID experience preferred