Associate Director / Director, Medicinal Chemistry (Title flexible based on experience)
ALLInBio, Inc.
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Palo Alto, CA
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Entry level
Posted April 3, 2026
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Responsibilities
Commitments
Responsibilities
- Lead or support small-molecule discovery programs across all stages, from hit identification and hit-to-lead through lead optimization and development candidate selection
- Define medicinal chemistry strategy and drive SAR development through compound design, data interpretation, and close collaboration within cross-functional matrix teams
- Apply computational and structure-based design tools to guide molecular design and optimization
- Manage and oversee day-to-day activities of external chemistry CRO partners to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables
- Partner with internal and external teams to advance ADME/PK studies, preclinical safety assessments, and scale-up activities as needed
- Lead or contribute to patent preparation and scientific publications
- Clearly present chemistry rationale, strategy, and program updates to cross-functional teams and senior leadership
- Contribute to the growth, culture, and operational excellence of the medicinal chemistry function Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated excellence in medicinal chemistry problem-solving and small-molecule drug discovery
Commitments
Proactive problem-solver who is comfortable operating in ambiguity
Not Met Priorities
What still needs stronger evidence
Requirements
- PhD in Organic Chemistry with 12+ years of relevant experience in biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
- Demonstrated excellence in medicinal chemistry problem-solving and small-molecule drug discovery
- Strong understanding of ADME/PK, preclinical safety, and fundamental pharmacology
- Experience with structure-based drug design (SBDD) tools and approaches
- Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, fast-moving, matrixed team environments
- Strong collaboration skills with colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds
- Highly self-motivated, execution-driven, and scientifically creative
- Strong publication record, patent filings, and scientific presentations
- Prior experience in a startup or small biotech environment Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in autoimmune, immunology, or inflammatory disease areas
- Broad discovery experience spanning target identification, hit identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and preclinical candidate selection Key Competencies
- Hands-on, execution-focused mindset
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management abilities
- Proactive problem-solver who is comfortable operating in ambiguity
Preferred Skills
- Experience with structure-based drug design (SBDD) tools and approaches
- Strong publication record, patent filings, and scientific presentations
- Prior experience in a startup or small biotech environment Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in autoimmune, immunology, or inflammatory disease areas
- Broad discovery experience spanning target identification, hit identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and preclinical candidate selection Key Competencies
Education
- (Not required) – PhD in Organic Chemistry with 12+ years of relevant experience in biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to: careers@allinbio.com Job Title Associate Director / Director, Medicinal Chemistry (Title flexible based on experience) Location Headquarters: Palo Alto, CA, USA Virtual-but-local model: candidates may work remotely but must be available for weekly in-person meetings at our Palo Alto headquarters. Company Overview We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with serious unmet medical needs, with an emphasis on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We operate in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and science-driven environment, and value entrepreneurial individuals who enjoy building processes, solving complex problems, and contributing hands-on to the advancement of clinical programs. Role Summary We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated medicinal chemist to lead and execute small-molecule discovery programs from hit identification through development candidate selection and beyond. The successful candidate will be a proven drug hunter with a strong track record in medicinal chemistry and small-molecule drug discovery, and with demonstrated experience managing external CRO partners. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic startup environment and is excited to make direct, hands-on contributions to pipeline growth and scientific strategy. Key Responsibilities
Lead or support small-molecule discovery programs across all stages, from hit identification and hit-to-lead through lead optimization and development candidate selection
Define medicinal chemistry strategy and drive SAR development through compound design, data interpretation, and close collaboration within cross-functional matrix teams
Apply computational and structure-based design tools to guide molecular design and optimization
Manage and oversee day-to-day activities of external chemistry CRO partners to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables
Partner with internal and external teams to advance ADME/PK studies, preclinical safety assessments, and scale-up activities as needed
Lead or contribute to patent preparation and scientific publications
Clearly present chemistry rationale, strategy, and program updates to cross-functional teams and senior leadership
Contribute to the growth, culture, and operational excellence of the medicinal chemistry function Required Qualifications
PhD in Organic Chemistry with 12+ years of relevant experience in biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
Demonstrated excellence in medicinal chemistry problem-solving and small-molecule drug discovery
Strong understanding of ADME/PK, preclinical safety, and fundamental pharmacology
Experience with structure-based drug design (SBDD) tools and approaches
Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, fast-moving, matrixed team environments
Strong collaboration skills with colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds
Highly self-motivated, execution-driven, and scientifically creative
Strong publication record, patent filings, and scientific presentations
Prior experience in a startup or small biotech environment Preferred Qualifications
Experience in autoimmune, immunology, or inflammatory disease areas
Broad discovery experience spanning target identification, hit identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and preclinical candidate selection Key Competencies
Hands-on, execution-focused mindset
Strong organizational and project management skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management abilities
Proactive problem-solver who is comfortable operating in ambiguity
Team-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership and accountability Why Join Us
Opportunity to make a direct and visible impact on discovery programs
High level of responsibility and scientific influence in a growing startup
Collaborative, rigorous, and science-first culture
Competitive compensation and benefits If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to: careers@allinbio.com
Lead or support small-molecule discovery programs across all stages, from hit identification and hit-to-lead through lead optimization and development candidate selection
Define medicinal chemistry strategy and drive SAR development through compound design, data interpretation, and close collaboration within cross-functional matrix teams
Apply computational and structure-based design tools to guide molecular design and optimization
Manage and oversee day-to-day activities of external chemistry CRO partners to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables
Partner with internal and external teams to advance ADME/PK studies, preclinical safety assessments, and scale-up activities as needed
Lead or contribute to patent preparation and scientific publications
Clearly present chemistry rationale, strategy, and program updates to cross-functional teams and senior leadership
Contribute to the growth, culture, and operational excellence of the medicinal chemistry function Required Qualifications
PhD in Organic Chemistry with 12+ years of relevant experience in biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
Demonstrated excellence in medicinal chemistry problem-solving and small-molecule drug discovery
Strong understanding of ADME/PK, preclinical safety, and fundamental pharmacology
Experience with structure-based drug design (SBDD) tools and approaches
Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, fast-moving, matrixed team environments
Strong collaboration skills with colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds
Highly self-motivated, execution-driven, and scientifically creative
Strong publication record, patent filings, and scientific presentations
Prior experience in a startup or small biotech environment Preferred Qualifications
Experience in autoimmune, immunology, or inflammatory disease areas
Broad discovery experience spanning target identification, hit identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and preclinical candidate selection Key Competencies
Hands-on, execution-focused mindset
Strong organizational and project management skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management abilities
Proactive problem-solver who is comfortable operating in ambiguity
Team-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership and accountability Why Join Us
Opportunity to make a direct and visible impact on discovery programs
High level of responsibility and scientific influence in a growing startup
Collaborative, rigorous, and science-first culture
Competitive compensation and benefits If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to: careers@allinbio.com