Synthetic Organic Chemist

• Design and execute scalable synthetic routes
• Deliver analogs to support SAR and lead optimization
• Collaborate with CROs and maintain detailed lab records

Synthetic Organic Chemist (Contract)
�� Location: South San Francisco, CA
�� Contract Duration: 12 months

Overview
Our client — a leading precision medicine oncology company — is seeking an exceptionally skilled and self-motivated Synthetic Organic Chemist to join their small-molecule discovery team. This role supports the delivery of high-quality compounds to accelerate structure–activity relationship (SAR) exploration and lead optimization efforts across a deep oncology-focused discovery pipeline.
You’ll work closely with medicinal chemists and collaborate with both internal teams and external CRO partners to design, synthesize, and characterize novel, drug-like molecules.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to the advancement of next-generation cancer therapies within a fast-paced, science-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute efficient, scalable synthetic routes to key intermediates and target compounds (milligram to multi-gram scale).
• Deliver small-molecule analogs in parallel to support SAR campaigns using modern synthetic methods.
• Troubleshoot and optimize challenging reactions independently with creativity and precision.
• Coordinate with internal research teams and external CRO collaborators to plan and manage synthesis activities.
• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records in electronic lab notebooks suitable for patent and regulatory documentation.

Qualifications

• Education: M.S. or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Experience: 4 years of hands-on industry experience in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D.
• Deep expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and current literature.
• Proven ability to design and execute robust, multi-step syntheses — including late-stage diversification.
• Skilled in purification and characterization techniques (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC, etc.).
• Experience in synthesizing compounds from milligram to decagram scale.
• Comfortable running parallel synthesis workflows to efficiently deliver compound batches.
• Experience collaborating with CRO chemists to troubleshoot and enable remote synthetic productivity.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present data and rationale clearly to project teams.
• Team-oriented with a high degree of scientific curiosity and collaborative energy.

Additional Details

• Type: Contractor (12 months)
• Work Environment: On-site, South San Francisco