Principal Drug Discovery Chemist
Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical research company, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Drug Discovery Chemist to drive innovative research efforts from their remote R&D hub. This pivotal role is central to identifying and developing novel small molecule therapeutics for unmet medical needs. You will lead synthetic chemistry initiatives, design and execute complex synthesis strategies, and contribute significantly to lead optimization campaigns. The ideal candidate possesses a deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, a proven track record of contributing to successful drug discovery programs, and a strong publication record. As a Principal Chemist, you will be responsible for designing and synthesizing novel chemical entities, optimizing compound properties (potency, selectivity, ADME), and collaborating closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to advance programs. You will play a key role in project strategy, hypothesis generation, and troubleshooting synthetic challenges. This position requires a strong understanding of modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques, an ability to interpret biological data, and proficiency with relevant analytical and characterization tools (NMR, MS, HPLC). You must be a self-motivated, results-oriented individual capable of working independently in a remote setting while fostering strong collaborative relationships across scientific disciplines. Your contributions will directly impact the company's pipeline and its mission to bring life-changing medicines to patients. We seek an individual with excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for scientific discovery and innovation. Key Responsibilities: Design and synthesize novel small molecule drug candidates using advanced synthetic methodologies. Lead lead optimization efforts, improving potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties of compounds. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including biologists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists. Develop and troubleshoot synthetic routes for complex molecules. Characterize synthesized compounds using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (NMR, MS, HPLC). Interpret biological and DMPK data to guide compound design and optimization. Stay current with the latest advancements in medicinal and synthetic chemistry. Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences. Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent filings. Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior chemists. Qualifications: Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry. Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in drug discovery chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Demonstrated success in synthesizing novel compounds and optimizing leads. Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms. Proficiency in spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for compound characterization. Strong understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-property relationships (SPR). Experience with computational chemistry tools and databases is a plus. Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a record of publications and/or patents. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote research environment. This role is located in Omaha, Nebraska, US , and is fully remote.