What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry - Small Molecule, Cancer (Requires Relocation to Durham) position at Z-Alpha Therapeutics?
Z-Alpha Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of radiotherapeutics targeting key biological pathways for solid tumors. The company has a revolutionary technology platform in the next generation of alpha particle therapy with potential to be a more targeted therapy, increasing efficacy and limiting toxicity compared to competitors in the radiotherapeutics space. The company has a world-class team of scientists with decades of experience and foundational intellectual property that enables the potential to bring multiple drug candidates into the clinic.
** POSITION REQUIRES RELOCATION TO DURHAM, NC **
Position Overview:
We are looking for a highly experienced and innovative Principal Scientist in Chemistry to lead our drug discovery efforts. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry and a proven ability to drive projects from early discovery through preclinical development. This position requires strong leadership, strategic insight, and effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and oversee the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecule drug candidates.
- Develop and implement medicinal chemistry strategies to enhance the drug discovery pipeline.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and toxicology, to advance projects.
- Utilize structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to inform and guide compound optimization.
- Up to 50% lab work is expected.
- Analyze complex datasets, interpret experimental outcomes, and present findings at project team and company-wide meetings.
- Maintain rigorous records of experiments, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and adherence to regulatory standards.
- Provide scientific guidance and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
- Establish and manage laboratory infrastructure and standard operation process.
- Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in medicinal chemistry to inform project strategies.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field with 5 years of relevant industry experience.
- Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, with proficiency in multi-step syntheses and retrosynthetic analysis of complex molecules.
- Demonstrated ability to creatively employ structure- and/or ligand-based drug design to enhance the potency of lead compounds.
- Extensive knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles with proven track record of leading drug discovery projects with successful outcomes.
- Highly organized, with strong time-management skills and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing project landscapes.
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Experience with interacting with external chemistry vendors.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
Join us at Z-Alpha Therapeutics and contribute to innovative solutions that redefine the landscape of cancer treatment!
Required location OR relocation to Durham
