Scientist / Senior Scientist, Organic Chemistry
$145,000–$220,000 year
On-siteSan Francisco, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead organic chemistry execution across small-molecule, peptide, and peptide-adjacent programs from target compound selection through route design, synthesis, purification, characterization, QC, and handoff for biological testing. Design and execute synthetic routes using solid-phase and solution-phase workflows, including functional group transformations, coupling chemistry, protecting group strategies, late-stage diversification, cleavage, and deprotection. Own compound preparation end-to-end by making molecules cleanly, confirming identity and purity, documenting work, and preparing material ready for biological testing. Learn, operate, and maintain key instrumentation including HPLC, prep HPLC, LC-MS, and microwave-assisted synthesis systems. Troubleshoot synthetic and analytical issues with strong experimental judgment, including failed reactions, low conversion, poor selectivity, low crude purity, side products, solubility limitations, purification challenges, poor recovery, and instrument downtime. Work closely with biology and pharmacology teams to prioritize synthesis based on SAR, potency, stability, exposure, tolerability, and efficacy data.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on industry experience in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, peptide chemistry, or a closely related field
- strong experimental judgment
- deep troubleshooting ability
- high bar for clean execution
- comfortable owning chemistry end-to-end: route selection, synthesis, purification, characterization, QC, documentation, and preparation for biological testing
- judgment to turn a target structure into a confirmed compound
- ability to select a practical route, execute the chemistry, identify why reactions or purifications fail, make disciplined adjustments, confirm identity and purity, and deliver material ready for biological testing
- comfortable working close to biological readouts
- understanding that chemistry decisions are made in service of potency, stability, exposure, tolerability, and efficacy
- proactive and reliable when issues arise
- ability to diagnose the issue, communicate clearly, and drive toward a practical resolution when a synthesis fails, an instrument is down, purity is low, material is missing, or a handoff needs clarification
Desired Qualifications
- Peptide experience
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