VP, Computational Chemistry/Cheminformatics

Theseus Pharmaceuticals is passionately committed to improving the lives of cancer patients by working to outsmart cancer resistance. Led by a team of targeted oncology pioneers with a proven track record developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics, we are developing the next generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): “pan-variant” targeted therapies that address all known drug-resistant mutations. We believe a pan-variant approach is the only way to address cancer resistance. Our lead program, THE-630, is a pan-variant KIT inhibitor for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), whose cancer has developed resistance to earlier lines of kinase inhibitor therapy. We are also developing a fourth-generation, selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor to address C797S-mediated resistance to first- or later-line osimertinib treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

For more information, visit theseusrx.com .

Role: VP, Computational Chemistry

Overview

Reporting to the President, R&D, we are looking for a VP-level innovative scientist and leader in computational chemistry and cheminformatics that seeks to build and grow a next-level, cutting-edge computational chemistry platform/team thoughtfully and collaboratively. Several of the must-haves is an eagerness to explore/apply the very latest and emerging computational technologies, a strong ability to lead and deliver, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of cancer patients. The candidate will be critical for shaping the Company’s computational chemistry and cheminformatics platforms with a future-looking strategy by implementing the latest advances in cutting-edge computational approaches. This candidate will build/lead a computational drug discovery team to help advance small molecules through all stages of drug discovery – from target selection, hit identification and optimization through to development candidate selection. We have an incredibly strong and dynamic team of pioneers in drug discovery and development and are looking for someone to complement and grow with us.

Who are we looking for?

• A highly knowledgeable, flexible, and solution oriented leader who drives cross-functional results
• Cutting edge Computational Chemist/Cheminformatics professional well versed in new Computational Chemistry and Cheminformatics Software

What are we looking for?

• A professional who enjoys working in a dynamic goal-oriented small company working environment
• A reliable goal-oriented collaborator and colleague, who can manage priorities and maintain timelines across multiple project teams.

What are we offering?

• To join a growing team of CARING, experienced and motivated individuals focused on making a positive impact in the lives of cancer patients.
• A dynamic work environment that welcomes discussion and adoption of new approaches to improve our Discovery processes.
• The opportunity to define the future state of Structural Biology and Biophysics at Theseus to enable the discovery of new medicines.

What you will do:

• Conceptualize, design, and the lead Company’s computational chemistry approach including drug design, cheminformatics, AI-based predictive systems, simulation- and in virtual screening identification and optimization.
• Collaborate closely with diverse and outstanding biology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and DMPK teams to support discovery research and help identify promising small molecules for preclinical development, aligning with R&D and Company corporate goals
• Enables project team success using modern virtual screening methodology, molecular dynamics, and development of in-silico predictive models
• Build and manage our computational chemistry and cheminformatics group, including recruitment of new team members
• Be a part of the R&D senior leadership team guiding company evolution
• Identify and initiate academic and industry collaborations to support our long-term computational chemistry and cheminformatic strategies

What you will bring:

• PhD. in computer science, cheminformatics, computational chemistry, or medicinal chemistry
• Minimum of 15 plus years of post-degree industry experience in applying cutting-edge computational chemistry for structure-guided drug discovery
• Proficiency with modern computational chemistry and cheminformatics software and a strong technical understanding of the underlying principles for the techniques employed
• Ability to move beyond packaged software to prototype and implement innovative ideas using modern programming languages
• Strong background in theoretical and hands-on structure-guided and ligand-based drug design, library design, diversity analysis and conformational analysis is required
• Eagerness to collaborate with medicinal chemists in an iterative design cycle to optimize computational output/recommendations for new molecules to test actionable hypotheses and rationalize SAR
• Understanding of medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo ADME, and ability to couple that with modeling-driven approaches that extend to aspects of lead optimization beyond potency is required
• Knowledge of current computational chemistry landscape and application of novel methods when practical and effective
• Motivated to improve hit-finding campaigns with approaches utilizing virtual screening, fragment, DEL and cell-based assays
• Experience with multiple classes of drug targets, kinase inhibitor design and allosteric binders is strongly preferred
• Experience building machine learning models
• Demonstrated ability to define and implement a scalable research data strategy and supporting processes and infrastructure
• Open and honest communicator with the desire and ability to clearly present data to computational chemistry experts and non-experts, as well as to work effectively as part of larger cross-functional teams
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and integrate cross-functional data to drive computational chemistry strategies
• Strong functional leadership in managing direct reports while creating an inclusive environment that encourages ideas, discussion, and debate
• Proven ability to manage timelines and resources to reach decisions and move teams towards milestones
• Persistent in the face of obstacles and uncertainty, flexible, self-aware of strengths and weaknesses, brutally objective in the evaluation of data and strongly optimistic about overcoming challenges
• Identify support needed from CROs and external parties, with a demonstrable ability to prioritize, delegate and manage computational functions performed by outside contractors
• A strong scientific track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or patent literature is required

Our values:

Transparency: We work with honesty, openness, and integrity.

Community: We collaborate and thrive together.

Patient-Focused: We are committed to finding new medicines for patients.

Resolve: We never give up on our mission.

When You Join Theseus Pharmaceuticals You Will Have:

Location reachable by public transportation (Red Line)

• Customized and competitive health coverage, including medical offered through BCBS (HMO/PPO), dental, and vision
• Health Savings Account for medical expenses
• Eligible from the first day for 401K with 100% match of the first 5%
• A robust package of Theseus-paid insurance coverage, including life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Unlimited time off and 11 Holidays
• Winter Break: Theseus is closed for a Winter Break between Christmas and New Year

Location: Cambridge (Kendall Square), MA

Candidates should be aware that Theseus Pharmaceuticals requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Newly hired employees must be vaccinated prior to their employment start date. Theseus is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

Theseus Pharmaceuticals is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other class protected by state or federal law.

TO ALL AGENCIES: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of Theseus about our openings. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Theseus via email, the internet or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of Theseus unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by Theseus for this position and a valid agreement with Theseus is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the Theseus agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.