Medicinal Chemistry Senior Principal Research Scientist

Location: San Diego, CA; on-site five days per week

Base salary: $164,400–$246,600 per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus and equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company focused on scientific innovation and the development of medicines for patients.

What you will do

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small-molecule discovery programs.
• Design, prioritize, and guide synthesis of compounds to optimize potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and developability.
• Integrate SAR, structural biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and safety data to drive compound progression.
• Partner with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences teams.
• Provide technical leadership to internal and external chemistry resources and mentor chemistry team members.
• Communicate program strategy, risks, data, and recommendations to senior leadership and support intellectual property strategy.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related discipline with 6+ years of relevant postdoctoral industry experience; or a Master’s degree with 9+ years of industry experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with 11+ years of industry experience.
• Significant experience in medicinal chemistry and small-molecule drug discovery.
• Demonstrated success advancing discovery programs through candidate selection.
• Experience leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams in matrixed environments.
• Strong communication, strategic thinking, decision-making, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Continuous learning and support for adopting advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off, including summer and winter company shutdowns.
• Educational assistance, student loan repayment, commuting subsidy, charitable donation matching, and 401(k).
• Annual bonus and equity award eligibility.