Director, AIRx Medicinal Chemistry
Core
Lead optimization and candidate nomination using AI-enabled molecular design, deep SAR judgment, and CRO synthesis oversight to deliver differentiated medicines at speed.
Role type
Director, medicinal chemistry (AI-enabled drug design)
Builds
Drug candidates and optimized chemical matter for clinical development
Domain
Pharmaceutical drug discovery, AI/ML-enabled medicinal chemistry
Deliverable
production ML models | product features
Required skills
SAR-driven design, ADME optimization, multi-parameter optimization, CRO program direction, synthetic route planning, structure-based drug design, AI/ML design tool interpretation
Preferred skills
Therapeutic area expertise within Takeda portfolio, experience in SWAT/rapid-response team environments
Technologies
Generative AI tools, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM
Responsibilities
Design and optimize drug candidates using deep SAR intuition and multi-parameter optimization; Integrate AI/ML-generated design proposals with medicinal chemistry judgment; Partner with Computational Chemistry to close DMTA cycles rapidly; Provide strategic oversight of CRO synthesis programs; Embed selectivity, developability, and IP considerations into design decisions; Interpret structural biology data to guide optimization
Seniority
Director, strategic oversight with hands-on technical leadership