DIRECTOR OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Nov 27, 2024 - The Director of Medicinal Chemistry brings extensive biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience, highlighted by a robust track record in portfolio delivery across hit identification, lead development, and clinical candidate identification. Demonstrates proven expertise in structure- and property-based drug design, optimizing ADME and solid form properties of lead compounds, and driving rapid SAR studies through Parallel Medicinal Chemistry. Known for leading and expanding a team of scientists, exhibiting outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, and effectively collaborating with and influencing multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Director of Medicinal Chemistry Resume
  • Drug Design
  • Synthetic Organic Chemistry
  • ADME Optimization
  • SAR Analysis
  • Lead Compound Development
  • Clinical Candidate Identification
  • Parallel Medicinal Chemistry
  • Laboratory Techniques
  • Structural Analysis
  • Bioinformatics
  • Leadership
  • Team Management
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Collaboration
  • Influence
  • Adaptability
  • Innovation
  • Networking

Summary of Director of Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Chemistry with 10 Years of Experience

  • Experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
  • Excellent business acumen and scientific leadership demonstrated by a track record of portfolio delivery on multiple dimensions (hit ID, lead development, clinical candidate identification). 
  • Proven expertise in structure- and property-based drug design. 
  • Experience with successfully optimizing ADME and solid form properties of lead compounds.
  • Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and all laboratory techniques. 
  • Experience with driving rapid SAR studies through Parallel Medicinal Chemistry
  • Experience in leading, growing, and developing a team of scientists.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and influence a multidisciplinary team.
  • Ability to engage an external scientific network of collaborators.
  • Experience in directing outsourced CRO activities and working collaboratively with process chemists 

2. BS in Biochemistry with 12 Years of Experience

  • Experience preferably in pharma/biotech, including group leadership.
  • Track record in innovation and delivery of novel clinical candidates across several diseases and therapeutic areas. 
  • Extensive experience in small molecule drug discovery and development
  • Strong experience in lead generation strategies (structure-based, fragment-based drug design) and exposure to a broad range of therapeutic targets and chemical modalities.
  • Deep knowledge of modern medicinal chemistry with a strong track record of applying computational chemistry in guiding chemistry optimization.
  • Good understanding of DMPK principles and practical knowledge of driving project delivery using DMPK and in vitro and in vivo tox data.
  • Strong track record in IP creation and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Excellent interdisciplinary communication skills.
  • Strong team player

3. BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences with 7 Years of Experience

  • Experience doing medicinal chemistry in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment.
  • Experience managing CROs to accomplish synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of small molecules.
  • Experience solving difficult multi-parameter optimization problems in drug discovery, involving ADMET, potency, and selectivity
  • Experience bringing small molecules from discovery into the clinic, and the publications and patents to tell some of those stories.
  • Experience or readiness to lead a team of in-house and CRO chemists.
  • Experience developing brain-penetrant small molecules is particularly valuable
  • Experience developing kinase inhibitors is particularly valuable
  • Expert knowledge of structure-based drug design and physical property-based optimization of drug-like properties and ADME/PK profiles
  • Ability to manage external CRO chemistry resources to high levels of productivity
  • Effective and motivated team player with a high degree of independence, innovative and critical thinking skills, and the ability to adapt to changing projects and work assignments

4. BS in Medicinal Chemistry with 11 Years of Experience

  • Experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong track record of scientific innovation and success in delivering clinical candidates
  • Demonstrated leadership of project teams in a cross-functional environment
  • In-depth knowledge of the drug RandD process with expertise in the application of ADME/PK, pharmacology, and computational chemistry
  • A leader with effective organizational, interpersonal, communication, and managerial skills who is able to motivate and inspire others with excitement for achieving the scientific vision
  • Demonstrated technical proficiency, scientific creativity, independent thought, and ability to effectively collaborate with others.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to lead timely discussions with colleagues, vendors, CROs, and scientific advisors
  • Enthusiastic, self-motivated individual wanting to work in the fast-paced and dynamic environment of a startup
  • Excellent time management, organizational skills and strong communication skills, both written and oral
  • Experience in E3 ligase drug discovery (e.g. PROTACs and/or ’molecular glues’) or DNA-encoded library technologies
  • Expert synthetic chemistry knowledge and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to apply singleton synthesis and parallel/solution-phase library design as appropriate to project needs