Associate Director, Peptide Medicinal Chemistry

Location: Remote

Therapeutic Area: RNA Therapeutics | CNS Drug Delivery | Peptide Discovery

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished Associate Director, Peptide Medicinal Chemistry to lead the discovery and optimization of peptide ligands for the targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

This highly visible leadership role will define and drive medicinal chemistry strategy across peptide delivery programs, guiding candidates from hit identification through lead optimization. You will work at the forefront of peptide therapeutics, CNS drug delivery, and oligonucleotide medicine while partnering with experts in computational biology, neuroscience, biophysics, and oligonucleotide chemistry to advance a next-generation delivery platform for neurological diseases.

This is a unique opportunity for a scientific leader who thrives on innovation, enjoys building programs from the ground up, and wants to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly growing biotechnology company.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for peptide-based delivery technologies targeting RNA therapeutics in the CNS.
• Drive peptide discovery programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate selection.
• Develop and execute comprehensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) strategies informed by biochemical, cellular, pharmacokinetic (PK), and in vivo data.
• Design and optimize linear, cyclic, constrained, and non-natural peptide architectures to improve potency, selectivity, stability, and delivery efficiency.
• Guide the design of peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates and other delivery-focused therapeutic constructs.

Drug Discovery & Development

• Oversee peptide synthesis, purification, and characterization strategies, including solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) approaches.
• Collaborate closely with biology, neuroscience, biophysics, DMPK, and computational teams to advance candidate molecules.
• Analyze complex biological, pharmacological, and translational datasets to drive compound progression and portfolio decisions.
• Support DMPK strategy through medicinal chemistry design aimed at optimizing exposure, distribution, and efficacy.
• Contribute to the advancement of CNS delivery technologies through a strong understanding of BBB transport mechanisms and receptor-mediated transcytosis.

External & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Manage external chemistry vendors and CRO partnerships, including project scope, timelines, budgets, milestones, and scientific deliverables.
• Partner with computational scientists utilizing AI-enabled and generative peptide design technologies to identify and optimize novel ligands.
• Present program updates, scientific strategy, and key recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support patent filings, invention disclosures, publications, and broader intellectual property strategy.

Team Development

• Mentor and develop scientists across peptide chemistry and discovery functions.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance scientific culture.
• Help shape future team structure, scientific priorities, and organizational growth as the company scales.

Required Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.

Technical Expertise

• Proven success advancing peptide drug discovery programs from hit discovery through lead optimization.
• Deep expertise in peptide medicinal chemistry and SAR-driven optimization.
• Extensive hands-on experience with:
  • Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
  • Linear and constrained peptide design
  • Cyclic peptides
  • Non-natural amino acid incorporation
  • Peptide purification and characterization techniques
• Strong understanding of peptide pharmacology, stability, and developability considerations.
• Experience designing and optimizing peptide conjugates and delivery-focused therapeutic molecules.
• Ability to interpret and integrate biochemical, cellular, PK, and in vivo datasets to guide medicinal chemistry decisions.

Leadership Experience

• Track record of leading scientific programs and influencing cross-functional strategy.
• Experience managing external CROs and scientific partnerships.
• Proven ability to mentor, develop, and lead scientists in a drug discovery environment.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage scientific, executive, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in CNS drug delivery and blood-brain barrier biology.
• Understanding of receptor-mediated transcytosis mechanisms and targeted delivery approaches.
• Background in RNA therapeutics, oligonucleotide therapeutics, or nucleic acid medicines.
• Experience with peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled or computational peptide design platforms.
• Experience collaborating with DMPK and translational sciences groups.
• Previous experience in a biotech startup or high-growth environment.
• Strong publication and intellectual property track record.

What You'll Bring

• Strategic scientific leadership and strong decision-making skills.
• Deep expertise in peptide medicinal chemistry and therapeutic optimization.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across scientific disciplines.
• Entrepreneurial drive and comfort working in an evolving, fast-paced environment.
• Passion for developing transformative therapies for patients with neurological diseases.

Why Join the team?

• Lead cutting-edge peptide discovery programs addressing one of the biggest challenges in RNA medicine: delivery to the central nervous system.
• Shape the medicinal chemistry strategy for a novel therapeutic platform.
• Collaborate with world-class scientists across computational biology, neuroscience, biophysics, and oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Enjoy significant scientific ownership, visibility, and influence on company strategy.
• Build and mentor a growing team within a highly innovative biotech environment.
• Help bring next-generation therapies to patients with unmet neurological needs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proven peptide drug discovery leader who wants to combine medicinal chemistry excellence, scientific innovation, and team leadership to advance the future of CNS-targeted RNA therapeutics.

This is a Permanent position based out of Remote, OR.

The pay range for this position is $230000.00 - $250000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Competitive compensation, bonus, and equity opportunity Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) retirement savings plan Flexible PTO and company holidays Remote/hybrid work flexibility Professional development support Collaborative and mission-driven culture Opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of neurological disease treatment

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $230,000 - $250,000