Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives.  Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

We are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial, innovative Head of Medicinal Chemistry to lead our drug discovery efforts. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with a proven track record in drug discovery and development, from hit identification to clinical candidate selection to clinical development. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on Calico’s mission to develop novel therapeutics that address age-related diseases and build a key functional area within the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Build and lead a high-performing medicinal chemistry team, augmented by external contract research organizations (CROs) as needed
• Collaboratively work with internal stakeholders to identify, recommend, and implement drug discovery strategies in a modality agnostic manner
• Oversee the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecule programs
• Partner with biology, pharmacology, and development teams to translate biological insights into actionable chemical strategies
• Define roles and responsibilities within medicinal chemistry and program teams, ensuring efficient project management and optimal allocation of resources to support drug discovery objectives
• Use analytical and computational tools to make data-informed decisions in compound design and optimization, helping streamline drug discovery efforts
• Contribute to regulatory documentation and submissions by providing chemistry expertise, including data for IND and NDA filings
• Collaborate with IP counsel to shape and define medicinal chemistry strategies
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in medicinal chemistry, identifying opportunities for external partnerships, collaborations, and integration of new technologies

Position Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in medicinal chemistry within large and small pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Experience managing activities at a biotech CRO preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in small molecule drug discovery, SAR studies, and lead optimization
• High level knowledge of current medicinal chemistry enabling technologies including: HTE, parallel synthesis, fragment screening including covalent strategies, DNA encoded libraries, TPD/induced proximity, AI/ML/generative chemistry
• Strong record of medicinal chemistry patent applications and peer review publications 
• Proven track record of advancing compounds from discovery through clinical stages
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to mentor and develop scientific talent
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
• Must be willing to work onsite at least 4 days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $315,000 - $345,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.