We are seeking an accomplished and innovative scientist to lead a drug discovery team within the medicinal chemistry group at the Boston research site. This individual will lead, motivate, and develop a team of approximately 10-15 highly skilled PhD/MS/BS chemists through early hit discovery, lead optimization, and drug candidate identification. The leader will have deep experience in small molecule drug discovery and drive the application of cutting-edge molecular design, chemical biology, synthesis, and purification approaches to discover quality drug candidates that can become transformative medicines for serious diseases. This leader also ensure chemical technologies are driving scientific excellence and delivery while fostering innovation in chemical synthesis and design. This position will report directly to the Head of Chemistry for Boston Research and be a member of the Boston Research extended leadership team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide creative and innovative leadership of medicinal chemistry at the Boston research site to convert strong biological hypotheses into transformative medicines
- Integrate medicinal chemistry with the analytical, scale-up and automation functions within chemistry to support Boston drug discovery projects
- Is a subject matter expert in the areas of medicinal chemistry, SBDD (structure-based drug design), parallel synthesis and has insights in related disciplines including computational chemistry, chemical biology, drug metabolism, analytical chemistry, and process development
- Envision how chemistry can evolve to improve effectiveness and integrative thinking and discover first in class drug candidates
- Has experience managing external chemistry activities with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with CRO partners
- Contribute to the strategic planning of chemical patent protection working with internal and external patent counsel and lead the preparation of patent documents and peer reviewed scientific publications
- Lead the department to ensure that it operates at the highest levels of scientific excellence, fostering collaborations with the rest of the company, academia, and biotech
- Build and manage spending budgets and project resourcing for the Medicinal Chemistry group
- Work closely with the Boston Research leadership team and chemistry heads at other Vertex sites to ensure that the medicinal chemistry group employs the highest standards and most advanced methodologies in drug discovery
- Ensure effective interaction & communication between medicinal chemistry and other disciplines within Research and Development
- Lead and/or contribute to cross-site and cross-functional goals within Vertex
Knowledge and Skills:
- A high degree of self-motivation, curiosity, organization, communication, and presentation skills; high competence in solving complex problems, as well as the ability to navigate a fast-paced cross-functional and collaborative work environment
- Strong track record of effective people leadership and talent development
- Strong commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
- A desire to be part of a highly innovative company aimed at transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society
Education and Experience:
- PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry with 15+ years of industry experience or MS in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry with 20+ years of industry experience in medicinal chemistry such that a clear track record of success in drug discovery can be readily demonstrated.
- An extensive track record of presentations, publications, and patents
On-Site Roles
In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
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Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.
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About Vertex
Help Us Achieve Our Mission
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency .
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit or follow us on , , , and .
The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives.
Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.
