Associate Director or Director, Medicinal Chemistry Job at Unnatural Products Inc., Santa Cruz, CA

c0gxZjZ5dG9BREJiTDRUZnJMMDM4Vmk5aFE9PQ==
  • Unnatural Products Inc.
  • Santa Cruz, CA

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company

Unnatural Products (UNP) is an integrated biotech company at the forefront of macrocyclic peptide drug discovery. Our mission is delivering first-in-class macrocycle therapeutics for diseases with high unmet medical need. UNP's platform couples machine learning-based in silico tools with direct-to-biology parallel peptide chemistry to enable the discovery and rapid optimization of non-natural macrocyclic peptides directed toward extracellular targets and intracellular targets.

Based in Santa Cruz, CA, we are a passionate team of scientists and operators doing high-quality science in a beautiful setting—where innovation and work-life balance go hand in hand. Come shape the future of UNP with us!

The Role

UNP is seeking an accomplished and motivated Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry to contribute to the discovery and development of novel macrocyclic peptide therapeutics. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of advancing drug discovery projects from initiation to development candidate (DC), along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and experience working effectively within cross-functional project teams. A strong medicinal chemistry foundation is required and experience with peptides is desired.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic and scientific leadership for the medicinal chemistry function within cross-functional discovery teams
  • Drive the advancement of screening hits through hit-to-lead and lead optimization stages, with a focus on delivery of high-quality development candidates
  • Oversee CRO relationships, including the synthesis of key building blocks, high-value intermediates, and control compounds
  • Evaluate and apply cutting-edge synthetic methodologies, especially those relevant to macrocyclic peptide synthesis
  • Manage, mentor, and develop scientists within the chemistry team, fostering scientific excellence and team growth
  • Collaborate proactively with internal and external partners to align chemistry efforts with project goals
  • Deliver progress updates to internal teams, senior leadership, and other stakeholders
  • Author high-quality scientific documentation, including patent filings, internal reports, and publications
  • Ensure compliance with all corporate, safety, and environmental policies and regulations

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with 7+ years of relevant industry experience in a biopharmaceutical setting
  • Demonstrated expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, from early discovery through to candidate nomination
  • Strong track record of success in project advancement, including leadership roles in cross-functional teams
  • Proven people management skills, with experience supervising and developing scientific talent
  • Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Experience with solution- or solid-phase peptide synthesis of peptides, and structure-based drug design is desirable

Why Join Us?

As our Director or Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry, you will have a direct hand in accelerating the discovery of novel peptide therapeutics to treat diseases with high unmet medical need. We value integrity, transparency, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit. If you are passionate about people and biotech, we’d love to talk.

The salary range for the Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry position is $170,000 - $208,000. The salary range for the Director, Medicinal Chemistry position is $195,000 - $244,000. Title and compensation will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate's career experience, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the position.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs

MEDL Mobile

Full Stack Software Developer Job at MEDL Mobile

 ...Job Description Job Description Seeking Full Stack Developer For a Creative Technology Studio Thats Redefining Whats Possible...  ...ve used. Some youll wish you had. Now were on the hunt for Software Developers who are as skilled and inquisitive as the cutting-edge... 

Next Silicon Ltd

STA Lead Engineer Job at Next Silicon Ltd

 ...the industry into a new era.Our unique software-defined hardware architecture enables...  ...heard.Impact : We're passionate about developing technologies that make a meaningful impact...  ...compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. NextSilicon makes hiring decisions... 

Jobiqo - - 509953578

Server Job at Jobiqo - - 509953578

Job Description SERVER Part Time/Full Time Pt Jeff Station Call Tuesday thru Friday 631.509.4560 JobiqoTJN. Keywords: Waiter / Waitress, Location: Port Jefferson, NY - 11777

Sovah Health - Danville

Registered Nurse (RN) ICU Job at Sovah Health - Danville

 ...Registered Nurse ICU Schedule : 12 hours shift for fulltime requiring 36 hours/week with every other weekend 7A-7P Job Location Type : In Person Your experience matters At Lifepoint Health, we are committed to empowering and supporting a diverse and determined... 

MalaceHR

Journeyman Pipefitter/Plumber Job at MalaceHR

Seeking experienced Journeyman Pipefitter/Plumber to work in commercial/industrial environment doing building maintenance in Warren, MI. * Must have valid Journeyman Card or within 30 days of getting *$38.50/hour, fully paid BCBS union benefits ~1st shift ~2nd...