Overview In this role, you will drive peptide drug discovery efforts leveraging Calico's ML-driven design platform. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to explore SAR and advance candidates toward IND-enabling studies. Your work will help accelerate the synthesis and optimization of therapeutic peptides in a fast, design-make-test cycle. This position offers the chance to shape a world-class synthetic engine within a mission-driven biotech environment.
Compensation / Benefits- base salary $135,000-$145,000
- two annual cash bonuses
Responsibilities- Lead peptide drug discovery campaigns from hit to IND-enabling stages
- Onboard and optimize novel chemistries for high-throughput automated peptide synthesis
- Collaborate with biology, software, automation, assay, and pharmacology teams to meet ML platform objectives
- Mentor junior scientists and foster technical excellence
- Manage external collaborations and CROs with chemists, DMPK, and formulation experts
Key requirements- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, or related discipline; 0-2 years industry experience in drug discovery
- Experience in peptide hit discovery, SAR campaigns, ADMET optimization, and peptide formulation
- Ability to build and interpret complex assay cascades including biophysical and protein/cell-based assays and ADMET screening
- Proficiency in automated synthesis, purification (HPLC, Flash, SPE), and characterization (LCMS, NMR, CD)
- Demonstrated capability to implement diverse chemistries (backbone modifications, macrocyclization, stapling, bioconjugation) via solid- or solution-phase
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; excellent interpersonal and communication abilities; willingness to work onsite 5 days/week
- interpersonal skills
- collaborative mindset
- strong communication
- automated synthesis
- HPLC, Flash, SPE purification
- LCMS, NMR, CD characterization
