Head of Chemistry

Peptone Introduction

Peptone is a category-defining translational biophysics company focusing on the intersection of physics, biology, chemistry, and supercomputing.
We will bridge the data gap between folded and disordered proteins and will create a new category for itself, vastly expanding the druggable space. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) differ from folded proteins due to their ability to adopt different conformations, depending upon the cellular context. We created Oppenheimer, a platform that combines bespoke ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry experiments with AI to target IDPs with unprecedented levels of detail and enable rational drug design.

Our interdisciplinary team consists of physicists, biologists, chemists, computational chemists, software engineers, and mathematicians. We have created a company culture that is based on scientific and personal integrity and a highly supportive, inclusive attitude.

Our curiosity and drive stem from the shared passion to contribute to our scientific understanding of proteins and to translate these insights into reality by developing drugs that make people’s lives better.

Overview of the Role

We’re looking to fill a leadership position in chemistry, focusing on our drug discovery projects and the development of our scientific unit. Responsibilities will include diverse tasks including group and project leadership, scientific contributions in chemistry and drug discovery, and chemistry line management.

You’ll be part of a dynamic start-up environment that emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and rapid-paced work, with a dedication to innovative approaches.

Job Specifics

Chemistry Group Leadership

• Lead chemistry department and drive chemistry strategy for a unique pipeline of small molecule projects targeting disordered proteins.
• Build and maintain an environment that is highly collaborative, motivating, and driven to succeed.
• Operate with a high degree of creativity and flexibility, enabling a solution-focused team.
• Define hiring/staffing plans; execute/onboard/train new hires.
• Provide leadership together with other leadership members to advance first-in-class projects.
• Report to CSO regularly.
• Guide and support program team leaders in your line and across the R&D organization.
• Prepare for internal and external presentations of scientific progress, strategies, plans, resources, assumptions, risks, and data that support conclusions.
• Work closely with the Research Informatics team to build effective database management systems.
• Guide overall chemistry strategy.
• Work with biology and other scientific leaders to ensure overall program success.
• Align closely with the executive team on corporate goals.

Project Support

• Overarching goal, strategy, and resource planning and execution.
• Ensure milestones are met and aligned with other R&D functions.
• Regular participation and influence in core team meetings.
• Delegation to other chemistry leads when appropriate.

Chemistry Support

• Support CRO selection and management.
• Design, make, test, analyze cycles.

Externally-facing Tasks

• Prepare and be ready for presentation at Research and Development Updates.
• Prepare and be ready for presentation at Board Meetings.
• Prepare and be ready for presentation on investor calls.
• Prepare and be ready for presentation in BD meetings.
• Influence and gain alignment on publication and conference participation/presentation strategy.
• With CSO/COO/CBO/CEO and external legal team, define and execute on IP strategy in the context of small molecule filings.

Ideal Candidate

• Ph.D. in synthetic/medicinal/computational chemistry.
• 10+ years of industry experience with clear evidence of strong leadership skills.
• A track record of achievement in the delivery of small molecules to clinical development.
• Breadth and depth in drug discovery, experience in multiple therapeutic areas and with a range of technologies.
• Strength/expertise in cancer biology, particularly in the deployment of appropriate assays to drive drug discovery.
• Strong background using a broad range of biophysical techniques.
• Strength/expertise in protein modelling approaches (Molecular Dynamics simulations, Monte Carlo calculations, small molecule docking) and structural bioinformatics.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory.

Corporate Climate

Default to transparency: As individuals, we view transparency as a lifestyle of authenticity, respect, and honesty. As a team, we view transparency as an effective way to work remotely and establish a culture of trust.

Cultivate positivity: We strive to approach things in a positive way while realizing all emotions are valid. We encourage constructive feedback from team members and business partners to foster positive collaborations.

Show gratitude: We regularly stop and demonstrate gratitude for our circumstances. We are reverent to our team, investors, advisors, and commercial partners who believed in us from the beginning and will always use this as a guiding light to growth.

Practice reflection: We believe the act of introspection is where true learning and life-changing adjustments originate. We approach discussions intentionally and think through all angles.

Improve consistently: We are biased toward action and have a higher expectation of ourselves and of our technology than others have of us. We aim to be fully engaged in our work and activities, and fully disconnected when we’re not working.

Act beyond yourself: We consider the bigger picture, knowing our work goes beyond ourselves. We are not afraid of the less-traveled path if it holds true to our values and betters the world.

Build sustainably: Sustainability is at the core of our technology, research, and team values. Oppenheimer’s supercomputer runs on 100% renewable energy and mitigates the need for traditional high-throughput experiments in our Swiss lab. Our team is incentivized and committed to growing a sustainable future and corporate culture.

Diversify: Diversity at all levels is paramount in translating biophysics to first-in-class medicines while embracing the serendipity of science. Diversity in mindsets, gender, skills, backgrounds, and – because we are geeks, protein sequences – are key to building an impactful future for our patients.

Patient passion: Our team is interwoven with a passion for understanding the “why” of protein drug failures to avoid them. The integration of the Oppenheimer platform with our Swiss pre-clinical laboratory is an unwavering commitment to developing first-in-class protein therapeutics for our patients.

Reverence to the giants: We embrace the fortitude and ingenuity of all the great minds and teams who advanced the field of protein biophysics to enable cutting-edge therapeutics. It is our honor to collaborate in this arena to pay homage to scientists who laid the very foundation.

Committed to our Corporate Culture to embrace diversity: Peptone Ltd and affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers building a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Our Mission

Delivering first-in-class medicines for better patient outcomes is our obsession. Translating biophysics of intrinsic protein disorder to generate de novo protein therapeutics is our passion.

What We Bring

• A non-hierarchical environment where everyone has a voice to influence and shape the company’s future direction.
• An appreciative atmosphere with fair salaries, company benefits, and top-class working equipment. A highly dynamic environment with plenty of opportunities for career development.
• A highly skilled and interdisciplinary team that is passionate about proteins, science, and business.
• A unique company giving you the opportunity to push the boundaries of biopharmaceutical drug development.
• A fast-paced company with novel science and academic rigor at its core.
• A company that values your contribution to scientific endeavor and supports presentation and publication of your novel discoveries.
• A flexible working setup to ensure a work-life balance.