SUMMARY: We are seeking a highly experienced drug hunter to lead & strengthen our Computational Chemistry capabilities to deliver transformative therapies in oncology. The ideal candidate will have extensive expertise in state-of-the art ligand-based and structure-based drug design methods and will have contributed to the advancement of small molecule projects through all stages of drug discovery. Of particular importance is the ability to build strong collaborations with medicinal chemists and structural biologists to help shape the company’s drug discovery strategies and “predict first” approach. Experience and strategic vision in machine learning/AI methods to accelerate drug discovery is highly desired. This position will complement our investments in structure-based drug design (e.g., in-house Krios G4, cryo-EM) and will interact closely with interdisciplinary project teams spanning Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, Bioinformatics, Drug Discovery Sciences, and IT.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead and provide strategic vision for industry-leading computational capabilities in the discovery research organization

Integrate advanced computational chemistry and structure-based drug design methods across our drug discovery platforms and programs

Foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship to enhance, integrate and apply computational tools and workflows to accelerate hit identification and hit-to-lead optimization

Apply state-of-the-art structure-based drug design and virtual screening technologies to drive hit identification, lead optimization and candidate selection in close partnership with medicinal chemists and structural biologists

Expertise with ligand-based methods, QSAR, QSPR, conformational analysis, physical chemical property modeling, molecular dynamics, free energy perturbation, molecular and quantum mechanics, interaction fingerprints, multiparameter optimization

Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo ADME, and ability to couple computational-driven approaches to impact lead optimization

Apply advances in machine learning/AI to rationalize SAR and recommend new molecules to test actionable hypotheses; build/enhance predictive ML/AI-based models to improve potency, selectivity & ADME properties

Current understanding of computational & informatics infrastructure to define the vision, strategy and resourcing to build and implement enabling computational and ML/AI-based tools

Provide day-to-day scientific and organizational leadership, serve as a mentor and role model with the goal of helping to build and develop a high-performing computational drug discovery science team

Conduct scientific presentations to senior management, project teams, and internal/external collaborators

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Help to lead and manage CRO computational chemists

Help to train and mentor chemistry and structural biology colleagues

Hire and manage a small team of computational chemists

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 

Ph.D. in computational chemistry, biophysics, physical organic chemistry, physics-based modeling, statistical modeling, ML/AI, mathematical modeling, or a related field with a clear track record of applying computational technologies and structure-based drug design to advance the discovery of small molecule therapeutics, and a minimum of 8 years of post-PhD experience; or,

Equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Demonstrated independent thought and creativity in science, and successful track-record in drug discovery as evidenced by patents, publications and invited presentations

Strong experience in cheminformatics and knowledge of computing infrastructure is a plus

Experience with multiple drug target classes, orthosteric and allosteric binders, fragment-based screening and optimization, covalent binders, protein degraders and/or molecular glues is strongly preferred

Background in library design, diversity analysis, and approaches to improve virtual screening, fragment, DEL and cell-based HTS is strongly preferred 

Working experience with software from companies such as Chemical Computing Group, Schrodinger, OpenEye, Dotmatics, Gaussian, Molsof, Chemaxon, Knime, RDKit and ICM Molsoft

Technical and scientific leader who stays on the cutting edge to identify and integrate emerging science to advance platforms and the portfolio

Strong written, oral and presentation communication skills

Keen desire to grow and develop the careers of colleagues and team members

JOB COMPLEXITY:

Works on extremely complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables

Exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results

Uses professional concepts to contribute to the development of company concepts and principles to achieve objectives in creative and effective ways

#LI-HG1

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this position is $206,500 - $293,500 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate’s geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.

In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.

DISCLAIMER 
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.