Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry

Nurix
The Woodlands, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with strong synthetic organic chemistry skills working in a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted protein degradation.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with advanced degrees and experience in multistep organic synthesis, particularly in drug discovery settings
    — “PhD with up to 4 years of relevant experience, MS with 6 or more years of relevant experience, or BS or equivalent with 10 or more years of relevant experience”
  • Individuals who can integrate computational and structural biology data into chemical design workflows
    — “Engage in rational structure-based drug discovery enabled by our computational and structural biology group”
  • Scientists with a proven track record in structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and compound optimization
    — “Advance structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies by contributing to compound design”

Things to consider

  • Onsite work is mandatory in The Woodlands, TX, with no mention of remote flexibility
    — “Location: Onsite – The Woodlands, TX”
  • The role demands a high level of independence in solving complex chemistry challenges
    — “the ability to independently troubleshoot challenging chemistry”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with AI-integrated drug discovery and targeted protein degradation projects
    — “Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class”
  • Emphasize collaborative project work across disciplines in your resume and interviews
    — “Collaborate with scientists in computational chemistry, structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics, cellular biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology”
  • Demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex molecules using modern methods in your application materials
    — “Design and synthesize novel chemical entities optimized for potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy”
  • Showcase your communication skills by providing examples of presenting scientific results to cross-functional teams
    — “Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts, results, and conclusions”
  • Demonstrate your ability to rapidly learn and apply new methodologies in your past work experiences
    — “Scientific curiosity, creativity, and the ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts, technologies, and approaches”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • designing and synthesizing novel small molecules
  • advancing SAR studies
Typical background
PhD with up to 4 years of relevant experienceMS with 6 or more years of relevant experienceBS or equivalent with 10 or more years of relevant experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Synthetic Organic ChemistryStructure-based Drug DesignMultistep Organic Synthesis

Preferred

Medicinal ChemistryPharmacology

Stack & domain

Synthetic Organic ChemistryStructure-based Drug DesignPharmacologyAdme/pkProblem-solvingTeamworkCommunicationMedicinal ChemistrySmall MoleculesPotencySelectivityPharmacokinetics

About the role

Original posting from Nurix via Greenhouse

Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry

Join Nurix's medicinal chemistry group to design and synthesize novel small molecules for patients with unmet medical needs. You'll apply structure-based drug design, supported by our computational and structural biology teams, as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary project team.

Position Description

The Opportunity

Design and synthesize novel chemical entities optimized for potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy, using modern synthetic methods and creative strategies to access challenging molecules

Engage in rational structure-based drug discovery enabled by our computational and structural biology group

Apply strong problem-solving skills to troubleshoot challenges and identify practical solutions

Design and execute high-quality experiments, critically analyze results, and use data to form hypotheses and guide next steps

Advance structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies by contributing to compound design

Collaborate with scientists in computational chemistry, structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics, cellular biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, as well as external collaborators, to integrate multidisciplinary data and advance project objectives

Stay current with advances in synthetic and medicinal chemistry and apply relevant methods to project work

Communicate scientific rationale, results, challenges, and recommendations clearly to chemistry colleagues and cross-functional project teams

What You’ll Bring

PhD with up to 4 years of relevant experience, MS with 6 or more years of relevant experience, or BS or equivalent with 10 or more years of relevant experience

Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, with demonstrated ability to design and execute complex, multistep organic synthesis

Strong scientific and synthetic problem-solving skills and the ability to independently troubleshoot challenging chemistry

Scientific curiosity, creativity, and the ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts, technologies, and approaches

Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with demonstrated ability to contribute in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts, results, and conclusions

Knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles, structure-based drug design, pharmacology, and/or ADME/PK, consistent with prior experience

Salary Range:  $130,200 - $141,400

The posted range applies to roles based in The Woodlands, TX area and reflects local market conditions. Where an offer lands within that range depends on the candidate’s relevant experience, technical expertise, and how their background aligns with the role’s requirements.

Location:          Onsite – The Woodlands, TX

Fit with Nurix Culture and Values

Strong team orientation; highly collaborative

Solutions and results-oriented focus

Hands-on approach; resourceful and open to diverse points of view

About Nurix Therapeutics

Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted protein degradation medicines, the next frontier in innovative drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and coupled with unparalleled ligase expertise, Nurix’s dedicated team has built a formidable advantage in translating the science of targeted protein degradation into clinical advancements. Nurix aims to establish degrader-based treatments at the forefront of patient care, writing medicine’s next chapter with a new script to outmatch disease.

Source: Nurix careers (Greenhouse)

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