Scientist​/Sr. Scientist, Chemical Biology San Francisco, CA

Overview

General Proximity is a seed-stage startup developing the next generation of induced proximity medicines (IPMs). Our OmniTAC drug discovery engine furnishes molecules that co-op existing cellular machinery to overcome therapeutic challenges, which have remained unapproachable to other modalities for decades.

We are seeking a first-rate chemical biologist to help us pioneer this uncharted frontier of drug discovery.

We are seeking an experienced chemical biologist with medicinal chemistry training to be a founding member of our Chemistry/Drug Discovery Team
. In this position, you will work with both our Chemistry and Platform Teams in the development of our core drug discovery technology and the generation of a completely novel class of therapeutics.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supervising synthetic efforts with our CROs
• Designing, performing, and analyzing in cellulo assays
• Designing and optimizing first-in-class bifunctional molecules
• Collaborating with our Drug Discovery and IP team on patent applications
• Providing input for mechanistic studies on lead drug molecules
• Spearheading forays into new disease areas

High Agency. Initiative, independence, and self-accountability are some of our most valued traits.

Enthusiastic. We love people who are excited about what they are doing and are generally attempting to build a high-energy team.

Intensity and Grit. Early-stage startups are hard. Drug discovery is doubly so. We are looking for candidates who have a demonstrated ability to stick with complex problems for the long haul, with a team that has your back along the way.

Prosocial. We are here to create life-saving medicines for the patients who need it most. You should be, too.

• PhD in Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, or related field.
• Industry experience is desirable, but the ability to work hard and learn fast is more important to us.
• Deep understanding of small-molecule drug discovery and its relationship to human disease.
• Able to work fluently at the interface of chemistry and biology.
• Top-notch written and oral communication skills.
• Strong experience with:
  • Designing, synthesizing, and optimizing induced proximity medicines (e.g. PROTACs or other IPMs)
  • Contributing to hit-to-lead and lead optimization studies
  • Med-chem optimizations: SAR, PK/PD, strong understanding of DMPK
  • Experience with chemical biology techniques such as mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays (e.g., cytotoxicity assays, transfections, stable cell line generation, co-immunoprecipitation), and PPI assays (e.g., BRET, APEX/BioID, Alpha Screen)
• Nice to have:
  • Proficiency in HTS and phenotypic assay development
  • Proteomics experience: PTM analysis, chemo-proteomic target deconvolution, etc.
  • Computational or molecular dynamics drug discovery experience
  • DEL experience
  • Experience managing others, especially synthetic chemistry CRO teams
  • Prior experience on teams that have successfully advanced research to the clinic

Work Hard/Play Hard. We believe time is our most valuable commodity, so we strive to create a culture that reflects this. We won’t drag you through unnecessary meetings or email you at 7 PM on a Saturday. When we re at work, we re there to get things done, and when we re off, we re really off.

Strong Communication. We like well-written documents over Power Points, OKRs over vague mission statements, and weekly one-on-ones over yearly reviews.

Writing First. We have a "writing-first" culture. We believe that clarity of writing reflects clarity of thinking and that the benefits of well-written documentation in a scientific environment are innumerable: democratization of ideation and decision-making, increased reproducibility, quicker scaling and onboarding, and better company-wide alignment, to name a few.

Growth. As an early-stage startup, we value scientists with an independent, can-do attitude. The more hats you can wear, the better. Our job as employers is to put you in positive feedback loops so you can grow in the direction of your choosing.