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Merck Sharp & Dohme

Director, Boston Discovery Chemistry

Merck Sharp & Dohme, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298


Job Description

Our Company is currently seeking an exceptional medicinal chemist and leader to join the Boston Discovery Chemistry Leadership Team as a Director (M3). The successful candidate will be responsible for multidisciplinary portfolio strategy derivation and execution, as well as performance management and personal development of a team of direct reports. In this role, you will provide strategic guidance and influence through direct reports, be responsible for scientific rigor and pipeline progress, interface with multiple therapeutic areas, and collaborate across functions to support the sustained delivery of a multi-modality portfolio. In addition, the Director will participate in department- and network-wide activities such as resource management, internal and external engagement, strategy definition and direction, and implementation of best practices in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery while directly influencing actions to execute on the same. Furthermore, you will also be responsible for fostering a culture of engagement, supporting and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion, and providing regular feedback and coaching to employees. To accomplish the above, the successful candidate must have excellent technical, leadership, interpersonal, cross-functional, collaboration, and communication skills.

As a leader in our organization, you will leverage your skill sets to deliver on the following core responsibilities:

Develop People:

Inspire and mentor a team of exceptional scientists and create a collaborative and nurturing environment that promotes continuous learning and enables personal and professional growth.

Set Department Strategy:

Collaboratively derive and execute on a strategic vision for the Boston Discovery Chemistry department aligned with network-wide organizational objectives.

Contribute to Scientific Strategy:

Shape scientific strategy by applying deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry and the industry and collaborate with cross-functional colleagues to identify opportunities aligned with our mission and goals.

Lead Drug Discovery Programs:

Utilize your expertise in medicinal chemistry to lead high-impact research programs across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of discovery. Collaborate with cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams, leveraging their diverse skills and knowledge to achieve program goals and milestones.

Influence the internal and external scientific community:

Leverage and build your network and effective communication skills to foster internal/external collaborations. Demonstrate excellence in synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery through active participation in conferences, industry events, and scientific forums. Stay up to date on emerging science and seek to establish strategic alliances with potential to amplify Discovery Chemistry' s impact on patients and the scientific community. Cultivate existing relationships that reinforce our leadership in Discovery, Chemistry, and Drug Discovery.

To excel in this role, you will need strong skills in chemistry, drug discovery, leadership, strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Your passion for science, unwavering commitment to patients, and ability to inspire and empower others will set you apart.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in chemistry with 7+ years of applied professional experience in drug discovery; M.Sc. in chemistry with 12+ years of applied professional experience in drug discovery; B.S. in chemistry with 14+ years of applied professional experience in drug discovery.

Experience managing a team of scientists with a focus on maximizing impact, fostering collaboration, and professional development. Experience training and developing talent, and performance management.

Strong knowledge of medicinal chemistry design principles, defining program and medicinal chemistry strategy, driving execution from target validation through to preclinical candidate selection, and delivering results.

Significant experience in the design, synthesis and characterization of small molecules, peptides, and/or degraders.

Strong cross-functional knowledge pertinent to drug discovery and early development (e.g. pharmacology, cell biology, chemical biology, ADME, formulation, hit discovery, large-scale synthesis, structural biology, safety/toxicology, IP).

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a track record of promoting and supporting DE&I initiatives.

Track record of solving complex drug discovery problems and collaborating with and influencing cross-functional teams.

Deep knowledge and experience in organic chemistry and chemical synthesis.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Experience leading cross-functional program teams.

Experience in reaction methodology, catalysis, total synthesis, chemical biology, computational modeling, informatics, peptide, and/or degrader chemistry.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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