Chief Scientist

Job Title: Director / Head of Small Molecule Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development

Location: [To be specified]

Department: Research & Development

Make Your Impact in Transforming Lives

Join a forward-thinking biopharmaceutical company where your scientific leadership will directly shape the future of medicine. We are committed to discovering and developing breakthrough small-molecule therapies that address significant unmet medical needs worldwide. In this pivotal role, you will set strategic direction, lead high-impact projects from concept to clinical readiness, and nurture a world-class R&D organization poised for global success.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Pipeline Planning

• Define and execute the company’s medium- to long-term R&D strategy for small-molecule New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and high-end complex generics, aligning closely with overarching corporate goals.
• Oversee the entire journey from early target identification through to preclinical candidate compound (PCC) nomination, building a robust pipeline of globally competitive assets.
• Evaluate emerging internal and external technology platforms, driving the seamless adoption and integration of innovative solutions to maintain scientific and technical leadership.

Project Leadership & Scientific Excellence

• Lead 1–2 flagship small-molecule drug discovery programs, guiding them from project inception, molecular design, synthesis, biological testing, to preclinical development—delivering results on schedule and within budget.
• Provide authoritative scientific oversight and decisive technical guidance to resolve complex chemistry, pharmacology, and drug development challenges.
• Drive the iterative optimization and selection of PCCs, balancing potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, safety, and manufacturability for downstream success.

Team Building & Talent Development

• Assemble, mentor, and lead a premier team of medicinal chemists and interdisciplinary experts dedicated to excellence in small-molecule innovation.
• Cultivate a collaborative ecosystem spanning medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, toxicology, and CMC functions to accelerate project delivery.
• Implement tailored talent development strategies, including coaching, continuous learning, and career pathway planning, to empower high-potential scientists and secure long-term organizational strength.

Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent degree in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in small-molecule drug discovery and preclinical development, including demonstrated leadership in matrixed environments.
• Proven success in progressing molecules from target validation to PCC stage and beyond.
• Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, SAR analysis, and integrated drug discovery workflows.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams and collaborating effectively across global partnerships.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive consensus.