Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Psivant Therapeutics

Principal Medicinal Chemistry Scientist advancing peptide and small-molecule therapeutics at PsiThera. Combining synthetic chemistry with computational drug design to deliver innovative inflammation and immunology medicines.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timeWatertown • Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $179,000 - $200,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in organic and medicinal chemistry, with a strong focus on advancing peptide and small molecule therapeutics from concept to clinical development. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement structure-based drug design methodologies to optimize compounds for oral delivery.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Organic Chemistry ExpertiseMedicinal Chemistry LeadershipStructure-Based Ligand DesignComputational Modeling ExperienceTeam Management in Drug Discovery

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Automated Solid-Phase Peptide SynthesisSolution-Phase Small Molecule SynthesisData Analysis for Molecule DesignMacrocyclic Peptide OptimizationPeptide Informatics ToolsMachine Learning in Drug DiscoveryFragment-Based Drug DiscoveryLibrary-Based Screening TechnologiesMolecular Modeling ToolsLead Optimization for Immunology Targets

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsAttention to DetailCollaborative Ability

Tools & Technologies

Computational Drug DesignData Analysis ToolsSpotfire

Industry Keywords

BiotechnologyPharmaceutical IndustryPeptide TherapeuticsSmall Molecule ProgramsCross-Functional Collaboration

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Advance peptide therapeutics, especially macrocyclic peptides, and small molecule programs from screening to development candidate selection
Champion cross-functional collaboration with CADD, biophysics, structural biology, DMPK, and biology teams to design molecules, achieve program goals, and meet timelines
Implement structure-based and computational drug design to optimize peptide and small molecule therapeutics; prioritize and implement synthesis
Manage teams of external synthetic chemists to ensure timely delivery of complex target molecules for biological testing
Interpret analytical results to ensure compound quality, data integrity, and project success
Stay current with chemistry, medicinal chemistry, project-relevant literature, and new patent application filings
Lead research teams or serve as medicinal chemistry lead from concept through lead optimization toward clinical development
Collaborate across computational chemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and biology functions to provide actionable insights and strategic guidance

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS, MS or PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related field
5–10 years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with a proven track record advancing molecules from hit to development candidate selection
Expertise in organic chemistry, including automated solid-phase peptide synthesis and solution-phase small molecule synthesis
Expertise in medicinal chemistry, data analysis, molecule design, and synthesis to optimize peptides and small molecules for oral delivery
Deep knowledge of macrocyclic peptide optimization, including properties required for oral administration
Proficiency in structure-based ligand design for peptide and small molecule optimization
Experience with computational modeling and simulation for peptide and small molecule design and optimization
Experience using peptide informatics tools for SAR
Familiarity with machine learning and AI-driven drug discovery platforms
Experience leading and managing teams of external chemists
Hands-on, collaborative ability to work across biology, structural biology, computational chemistry, and biophysics
Excellent communication skills in a multidisciplinary environment
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Familiarity with library-based screening technologies including DEL, mRNA display, and phage display
Direct experience with screen follow-up and fragment-based drug discovery
Experience progressing programs through lead optimization for immunology targets
Familiarity with molecular modeling tools
Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Spotfire

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary and benefits package including 401k match
Opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of novel therapeutics
Work with a talented and passionate team of scientists
Be a part of a cutting-edge company that is revolutionizing drug discovery