Principal Scientist Medicinal Chemistry Job Listing at Kelly Services in Ballwin, MO (Job ID US3620385_BH10005077)

Description

Principal/Senior Principal Scientist – Medicinal Chemistry

A St. Louis, MO-based pharmaceutical research and development company is seeking a highly motivated Medicinal Chemistry Leader with extensive drug discovery experience, strong project management capabilities, and a demonstrated record of leading high-performing teams. The company is focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs and is committed to improving patients' quality of life through scientific innovation.

This individual will play a critical role in the Drug Discovery Department, driving multidisciplinary efforts to identify and advance innovative clinical candidates.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary drug discovery team to ensure scientific excellence and operational effectiveness.

• Design and execute medicinal chemistry strategies that integrate structural, physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and safety considerations to deliver novel and differentiated development candidates.

• Evaluate and refine compound design proposals from the computational chemistry group.

• Direct synthetic chemistry efforts in support of discovery objectives.

• Identify and apply emerging synthetic and purification technologies to improve the efficiency of novel compound synthesis.

• Assess and recommend advanced tools and technologies to enhance drug discovery processes.

• Manage relationships with external CROs to ensure high-quality and timely project execution.

• Collaborate closely with internal leadership and provide structured, timely reporting on project progress.

• Foster effective communication across disciplines including computational chemistry, biology, CMC, safety, and external collaborators.

• Lead preclinical studies and contribute to IND-enabling activities.

• Develop intellectual property strategies and drive patent submissions in partnership with legal counsel.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry with at least 15 years of industry experience in drug discovery.

• Proven leadership in cross-functional teams with a successful track record of scientific innovation and clinical candidate delivery.

• Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, DMPK, pharmacology, and process chemistry, with the ability to progress programs from hit identification to IND filing.

• Experience in cyclic peptide design, PROTACs, and molecular glues is strongly preferred.

• Skilled in managing timelines and external resources to achieve high-quality outcomes at critical decision points.

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural collaboration skills.

• Creative, problem-solving mindset with experience operating in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

• Proficiency in structure-based drug design and use of computational chemistry tools for lead optimization.

• Strong synthetic chemistry background, demonstrated by high-quality publications and/or patents.

• Proven ability to lead projects through lead optimization to clinical candidate nomination.

• Excellent organizational and motivational skills with the ability to guide and inspire project teams.

• Effective communicator with the ability to present strategies and progress to both internal and external stakeholders; proficiency in both English and Chinese is a plus.

Why Join

This is a unique opportunity to lead and innovate within a collaborative, fast-paced setting. The role offers the chance to shape medicinal chemistry strategy, advance a cutting-edge pipeline, and make a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare innovation.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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