Associate Director Medicinal Chemistry
Location: Leuven
Job Type: Full-time
About Us: Onco3R is a dynamic and innovative biotech start-up company committed to transform patient’s lives with best-in-class medicines. We are looking for an experienced medicinal chemist to lead precision oncology projects from target validation to clinical candidate nomination.
Scope of the job
As Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry, you will lead small molecule drug discovery programs from hit identification to clinical candidate nomination, playing a key role in shaping the scientific direction of the company’s therapeutic pipeline.
You will lead and mentor a team of chemists, and coordinate with cross-functional project teams to ensure alignment with corporate goals and R&D strategies. You will also manage external CROs and academic collaborations, and contribute to intellectual property generation, publications, and scientific presentations.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a team of medicinal chemists in the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecules to advance drug discovery projects
Drive structure-activity relationship (SAR) strategies to improve potency, selectivity, and developability of compounds
Guide chemistry efforts across multiple stages of drug discovery, including hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and candidate nomination
Oversee synthetic chemistry strategy, ensuring efficient route design, scalable chemistry, and clear problem-solving pathways
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including biology, DMPK, pharmacology, and toxicology to integrate data and accelerate progression of programs
Manage external chemistry collaborations with CROs and academic partners
Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization of resources within the chemistry function
Maintain scientific rigor and ensure high-quality experimental design and data interpretation
Drive innovation through identification and evaluation of new technologies and approaches in medicinal chemistry
Participate in patent filing, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations
Present key program updates to senior leadership and internal stakeholders
Foster a culture of curiosity, integrity, and scientific excellence across the chemistry team
Job requirements
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related field with at least 6 years of industry experience in drug discovery
Proven track record of advancing small molecule programs through lead optimization to development candidate nomination
Experience leading medicinal chemistry teams and external collaborators (e.g., CROs) in a biotech or pharma setting
Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and a solid understanding of drug-like properties and ADME principles
Demonstrated ability to drive SAR strategies and solve complex chemistry problems
Strategic thinker with strong project management skills and ability to prioritize across a dynamic portfolio
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of delivering impactful scientific presentations
Passionate about drug discovery and developing novel therapeutics for patients
Creative, driven, and collaborative, with a hands-on approach to leadership
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package.
Opportunity to work in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
Key role in shaping a growing company’s therapeutic pipeline and scientific culture
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their resume to contact@onco3R.com