Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Title:

Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Company:

Epizyme Inc.

Job Description:

Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Summary / purpose of the position

As a Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry you will be responsible for independently developing and implementing medicinal chemistry strategies that effectively solve complex research problems and facilitate the achievement of key corporate goals – on time and on budget.  This person will be the chemistry project leader for new and established projects, and will effectively manage a team of CRO-based chemists.,

Main responsibilities / job expectations

• Research project support for programs in lead identification and lead discovery. Accountable for the design and execution of medicinal chemistry strategies that integrate aspects the entire drug discovery process – including target validation, hit finding, lead optimization, ADME/PK, pharmacology and toxicology - to successfully deliver development candidates.
• Effectively manage external medicinal chemistry teams and fee for service resources to efficiently accomplish project goals on time and budget.
• Communicate medicinal chemistry strategies, ideas and results to colleagues and management.
• Work collaboratively across diverse drug discovery functions and multidisciplinary project teams and provide leadership to teams of biochemists, biologists, structural biologists, medicinal and computational chemists to drive project progression.
• Make complex judgments and prioritize critical path activities, develop innovative solutions, and apply a comprehensive cross-functional and industry understanding to all project support.
• Contribute to development and execution of a publication strategy, including patents, medicinal chemistry literature and scientific presentations.
• Survey the literature, seminars, and scientific meetings for novel methodology and case studies to drive our projects forward
• Work with Pharmaceutical Science functions to transition project chemistry from Research into Development.

Knowledge, abilities & experience

Education / Certifications:

• A PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry with a minimum of 6 years of relevant drug discovery experience in a pharmaceutical/biotechnology setting.

Experience:

• Strong knowledge of the drug discovery process, with deep experience in implementing strategies across all stages of medicinal chemistry from hit identification through candidate selection.
• Track record of success utilizing structure and fragment-based drug design to generate lead molecules
• Ability to follow SAR and pharmacological data to design new molecules and advance leads
• Experience acting as project or chemistry team lead with demonstrated success in delivering development candidates.
• Extensive experience managing teams of CRO synthetic chemists effectively
• Dependable team player who collaborates and communicates effectively in a team environment
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, superior communication skills (both written and oral), and aptitude for presentations at different levels, from project teams to senior leadership
• Demonstrated technical/problem solving skills and scientific creativity in synthetic and medicinal chemistry as evidenced by a significant publication record, filed patents and/or presentations
• Chemistry Team Lead on previous project a plus

Languages:

•  English is essential
•  French would be useful

Key Technical Competencies Required

• Proficiency with chemistry analytics and informatics tools such as ChemDraw, SciFinder, Spotfire, MOE, StarDrop, etc.
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Ability to work with global teams.
• A strong attention to detail, excellent and direct communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity
• Flexible; independent problem solving and self-direction

IPSEN is an equal opportunity employer that strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.