Scientist

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.