What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Computational Chemistry position at Protagonist Therapeutics?
Director of Computational Chemistry
Company Overview: Protagonist Therapeutics is a leading biotechnology company dedicated to pioneering breakthrough therapies in the fields of drug discovery and development. With a commitment to innovation, scientific excellence, and improving patient outcomes, we are at the forefront of advancing precision medicine and transforming healthcare.
Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Computational Chemistry to lead our computational chemistry efforts. The Director will oversee a talented team of computational chemists and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to leverage computational methods and technologies in drug discovery projects, with a focus on peptides, protein-protein interactions, and structural biology.
Responsibilities:
- Leadership and Strategy:
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for the computational chemistry team, driving the development and execution of computational strategies to support drug discovery programs.
- Define and implement innovative approaches and methodologies in computational chemistry, AI, and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery efforts.
- Computational Modeling and Simulation:
- Utilize computational tools and techniques to model and simulate the three-dimensional structures of peptides, proteins, and protein-protein complexes.
- Apply molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanics calculations, and free energy calculations to elucidate molecular interactions and inform drug design efforts.
- AI and Machine Learning:
- Develop and implement AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze large-scale data sets, predict molecular properties, and optimize lead compounds.
- Apply machine learning approaches to identify novel targets, design peptide-based therapeutics, and prioritize drug candidates for preclinical and clinical development.
- Structural Chemistry and Biology:
- Integrate structural biology data, such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, into computational models to predict protein-ligand interactions and binding affinities.
- Collaborate with structural biologists and experimental teams to validate computational predictions and optimize lead compounds for potency and selectivity.
- Peptides and Protein-Protein Interactions:
- Investigate peptide-protein interactions and protein-protein interfaces using computational methods, including molecular docking, virtual screening, and binding site analysis.
- Design and optimize peptide-based inhibitors and modulators targeting specific protein-protein interactions implicated in disease pathways.
Qualifications:
- PhD or equivalent degree in Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, Structural Biology, or related field.
- Extensive experience in computational chemistry, with a strong background in AI, machine learning, structural chemistry, and structural biology.
- Proven track record of leadership and success in applying computational methods to drug discovery projects, preferably in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
- Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, C ) and molecular modeling software (e.g., Schrödinger, CHARMM, GROMACS).
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, with the ability to lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $230,000 and $260,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
About Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
Protagonist Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with peptide-based new chemical entities (NCEs) rusfertide and JNJ-2113 (formerly PN-235) in advanced stages of clinical development, both derived from the Company's proprietary technology platform. Protagonist and Janssen scientists jointly discovered PN-235 (now known as JNJ-2113) as part of Protagonist's Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) collaboration with Janssen and followed it through IND-enabling pre-clinical and Phase 1 studies, with Janssen assuming responsibility for further clinical development. Rusfertide, a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is the Company's lead drug candidate currently in a global Phase 3 development program. The randomized portion of the Phase 2 REVIVE study was unblinded, showing positive results and is now complete, with an open-label extension underway. The global Phase 3 VERIFY study of rusfertide in polycythemia vera is ongoing. Protagonist retains all worldwide development and commercialization rights to rusfertide
Salary : $230,000 - $260,000
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