HEAD OF CHEMISTRY SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Apr 22, 2025 - The Head of Chemistry utilizes computational modeling, pharmacophore development, and structure-based design to enhance drug discovery and lead optimization. This role requires deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, DMPK, and cheminformatics, along with proficiency in machine learning tools and targeted protein degradation. The Head provides strong leadership, fosters collaboration across teams, and drives innovation, recognized through patents and publications.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Head of Chemistry Resume
  • Project Support
  • Lead Generation
  • Technology Innovation
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Ligand Design
  • Chemistry Management
  • Drug Discovery
  • Platform Development
  • Strategy Execution
  • Project Delivery
  • Department Leadership
  • External Collaboration
  • Performance Management
  • Staff Development
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Scientific Communication
  • Drug Leadership
  • Team Building

Summary of Head of Chemistry Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Medicinal Chemistry with 7 years of Experience

  • Previous working in the biotech/pharma industry, combining both a track record of small molecule drug delivery and leading novel platform chemistry teams
  • Multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and have excellent time management skills
  • Aptitude to identify problems, make recommendations, and implement timely solutions
  • Able to work within a dynamic matrix environment, with strong contribution to project strategy, development, execution, and progression
  • Proven ability as a chemistry leader in validating or prioritizing targets with a conclusive data package
  • Excellent synthetic chemistry skills and creativity 
  • Demonstrated ability to advance projects from screening, through hit to lead and into lead optimization
  • Professional experience in the industry (Pharma or Biotech) in drug discovery
  • Excellent knowledge of medicinal chemistry processes, drug design, synthetic approaches, etc.
  • Extensive knowledge of CMC/physicochemical methods and technologies for APIs
  • Experience hiring and managing rapidly growing, diverse teams of computational scientists
  • Experience developing and applying ligand-based drug design methods, including traditional (chemoinformatic, biophysical) and statistical/machine learning approaches to library search, SAR/ADMET optimization, and/or synthesis and route prediction

2. BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry with 6 years of Experience

  • Research experience in industry and managerial
  • Experience in non-viral chemical gene delivery of DNA and RNA cargo
  • Experience leading an external collaboration (academic and industry) involving the design of a study plan
  • Able to oversee the execution and frequent evaluation of results to provide decision recommendations
  • Demonstrate successful go/no-go decision in asset and technologies in-licensing
  • Understanding of compliance and working with external collaborators with a mindset of the documentation requirements needed for further use of data in future regulatory filings
  • Experience in leading and involvement in successful technology and data transfer from external partners to internalize projects
  • Experience and demonstrated success as computational lead on interdisciplinary therapeutic candidate project teams or as technical lead for computational scientists in chemistry
  • Excellent communication skills, fluent in English and German 
  • Flexibility and the ability to adapt to fast-changing situations

3. BS in Organic Chemistry with 5 years of Experience

  • Demonstrated modelling impact on drug design, including experience in ADMET predictions and multiparameter optimization, ligand and structure-based design, conformational analysis, and pharmacophore development
  • Deep understanding of modern drug discovery including medicinal chemistry, DMPK principles and multi-parameter optimization
  • Team leadership experience and proven track record of mentoring scientists
  • Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams in a discovery environment
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to forge productive relationships and collaborations both internally and externally
  • Experience using CADD/cheminformatics/ML tools to identify patterns and determine structure-function relationships, including knowledge of relevant databases and tools
  • Experience in targeted protein degradation
  • Experience in a pharma or biotech environment 
  • Proven track record of impact and innovation as measured by patent inventorship and publications
  • Must be ABCC Board Certified or Board Eligible