Senior Principal Computational Scientist, Discovery Chemistry Department

Genentech • Daly City, CA

2d

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional, senior-level computational scientist to lead the application of cutting-edge computational science focussing on peptide therapeutic discovery. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of expertise in computational chemistry, including machine learning, to drive the advancement of our peptide hits to clinical candidates. This is a critical strategic role aimed at accelerating our discovery pipelines, optimizing our lead candidates, and unlocking the full potential of our experimental data.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in industry or a research organization.
• Proven track record of leading successful computational peptide discovery or design projects.
• Experience in AI/ML applications in the peptide space, with a focus on their application for molecular design.
• Deep knowledge of computational chemistry principles and general molecular modeling techniques (e.g., docking, molecular simulation, homology modeling, quantum mechanics, ligand- and structure-based design).
• Proficient in Python or other relevant programming languages.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary fast-paced team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience related to the application of cheminformatics in peptide library design.
• Experience with non-canonical amino acids and their integration into peptide design.
• Familiarity with computational software such as MOE, Schrodinger, OpenEye, and/or Rosetta.
• A strong track record of publication in leading scientific journals and presentations at major conferences.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Modeling & Prediction: Lead the development and implementation of advanced computational methods (structure-based, physics-based) for target and peptide modeling and optimization. Implement machine learning models to accurately predict critical peptide properties such as solubility, permeability, stability, immunogenicity, and potency.
• Platform Leadership: Lead the design, development, and deployment of a unified computational platform for peptide therapeutic discovery. Spearhead the creation of complex workflows and pipelines to enable the selection, design, and optimization of peptide modalities.
• AI/ML for Drug Discovery: In collaboration with our internal AI for Drug Discovery team, apply advanced AI/ML technologies, including protein-ligand co-folding, generative and active learning models, to drive progress in drug discovery with a focus on therapeutic peptide design.
• Team & Project Management: Oversee model and codebase management to support reproducibility and collaboration. Provide strategic direction and present scientific findings to internal and external stakeholders, including wet-lab scientists.
• Data Infrastructure & Informatics: In collaboration with our Computational Sciences Center of Excellence, implement robust, scalable data infrastructure and automated pipelines for the efficient processing, storage, and analysis of large datasets from next-generation sequencing (NGS). Integrate proprietary data from protein crystallography, biomolecular NMR, cryo-EM, and biophysics.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Peptide Therapeutics and Discovery Chemistry Departments and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate computational strategies into peptide hit discovery, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization. Foster a collaborative environment with wet-lab scientists to ensure data-driven workflows. Collaborate with computational scientists across the Drug Discovery organization and in our AI For Drug Discovery group.

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are available for this job posting.
• The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $173,400 to $322,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees