Medicinal Chemistry Project Leader

Position Summary

The Medicinal Chemistry Project Leader is expected to lead the chemistry efforts as part of a cross-functional project team to drive programs to key decisions at all stages of the preclinical pipeline.

This role requires deep understanding and utilization of key concepts in medicinal chemistry to design molecules with optimized potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties, with a particular emphasis on degrader-antibody conjugates. This role reports to the Executive Director, Medicinal Chemistry.

This work can be performed on-site at our headquarters in New Haven, CT with hybrid work arrangements being available, depending on work requirements and project needs.

Principal Responsibilities

• Drive milestone decision-making on assigned PROTAC projects, which may focus on degrader-antibody conjugates, from inception to clinical candidate nomination in line with target product profiles and timelines within a team environment
• Expeditious molecular and synthetic design of PROTACs, degrader-antibody conjugates, and libraries in conjunction with state-of-the-art computational chemistry resources to enable program advancement
• SAR analysis of complex, multivariate datasets to generate new testable hypotheses
• Dynamic interaction with external CRO resources to ensure synthetic and data needs are fulfilled according to agreed timelines and standards
• Solicitation and analysis of necessary experimentation/data to allow identification and prioritization of issues, and crisp-decision making within the project environment to meet company, project and personal goals and timelines
• Strong communication skills to drive smooth collaboration and decision-making with other functions in drug discovery
• Exemplify leadership, demanding excellence in performance at all levels
• Provide transparent, coherent, and focused scientific updates to manager and company executives on request. Represent company interests at conferences and in scientific matters to external organizations as needed
• Craft and communicate data-based strategic recommendations and decisions to leadership within research and development

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading research projects through milestone decisions toward clinical candidate nomination
• Extensive experience in the synthetic and medicinal chemistry of antibody-drug conjugates. Specific experience with degrader-antibody conjugates preferred.
• Extensive knowledge around structure-based design, SAR generation, and multi-parametric optimization
• Deep understanding of pharmacokinetic principles and in vivo pharmacology
• Proven ability to collaborate and communicate project needs and strategy to multidisciplinary team members and senior leaders
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship now or at any time in the future..
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in a combination of company office and home office environments. Employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to lift/carry 15/30 pounds unassisted/assisted; work comfortable in a controlled environment with and around biological, infectious and hazardous materials; gown/degown PPE; use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem solving, analysis and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.

Education

• A PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry with 8+ years of pharma/biotech-based drug discovery experience

Pay and benefits

Arvinas is proud to offer a competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits include group medical, vision and dental coverage, group and supplemental life insurance, and much more.