Sr Associate Scientist I or II, Medicinal Chemistry at Axsome Therapeutics Inc

San Diego, California, United States

Axsome Therapeutics Inc Logo
$84,000 – $120,000Compensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Pharmaceuticals, BiotechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • BS in Chemistry with 5+ years experience (pharma/biotech) or MS in Chemistry with 3+ years experience (pharma/biotech)
  • Proven skills in multi-step organic synthesis, reaction optimization, SAR analysis, and scientific presentation
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative research environment
  • Availability to work onsite in San Diego

Responsibilities

  • Design, synthesize, purify, and characterize chemical compounds (10 mg–5 g scale) using modern analytical techniques such as LCMS, HPLC, and NMR, employing both individual and automated parallel synthesis approaches
  • Identify and optimize reaction conditions using screening kits and other streamlined methodologies
  • Collaborate with the high-throughput experimentation team to ensure the successful execution of parallel chemistry experiments
  • Analyze biological and ADME-PK data using cheminformatics tools and contribute to data-driven discussions and strategic planning
  • Partner with computational chemists to leverage machine learning insights for efficient execution of the design–make–test cycle and platform development
  • Present results to project teams and senior leadership, clearly communicating data, implications, and recommendations

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Organic SynthesisMedicinal ChemistryLCMSHPLCNMRParallel SynthesisReaction OptimizationSAR AnalysisCheminformatics

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this Senior Associate Scientist position?

The salary range is $84K - $120K.

Is this role remote or onsite, and where is it located?

This is an onsite position at the headquarters in San Diego.

What qualifications and skills are required for this role?

A BS in Chemistry with 5+ years experience or MS in Chemistry with 3+ years experience in pharma/biotech is required, along with proven skills in multi-step organic synthesis, reaction optimization, SAR analysis, and scientific presentation.

What is the work environment like at Iambic Therapeutics?

The role is in a dynamic, cross-functional environment at a fast-paced, highly collaborative research team, working with medicinal chemists, biologists, DMPK scientists, computational chemists, machine learning researchers, and software engineers.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Associate Scientist role?

Strong candidates have a 'drug hunter' mindset, hands-on experience in drug discovery, prior exposure to high-throughput experimentation, familiarity with ADME-PK principles, and 5+ years contributing to drug discovery projects.

Axsome Therapeutics Inc

Develops therapies for CNS disorders

About Axsome Therapeutics Inc

Axsome Therapeutics develops therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, focusing on conditions like major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and Alzheimer's agitation. Their main product, AXS-05, is an oral medication that works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which helps regulate mood. This drug has shown positive results in clinical trials and has received special FDA status to speed up its approval process. Unlike many competitors, Axsome emphasizes addressing unmet medical needs in CNS disorders and aims to improve patient outcomes through rigorous research and development. The company's goal is to bring effective treatments to market, enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from these conditions.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters
2012Year Founded
$430.7MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Performance Bonus
Company Equity

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Compass Pathways in the CNS market.
Potential delays in AXS-07 launch amid growing market anticipation.
Departure of key personnel like Lori Englebert may impact strategic direction.

Differentiation

Axsome focuses on CNS disorders with limited current treatment options.
AXS-05, an NMDA receptor antagonist, targets major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
Axsome's balanced portfolio includes both clinical and research stage products.

Upsides

FDA's fast-tracking of CNS treatments could expedite Axsome's drug approvals.
Increased investment in CNS R&D drives innovation, benefiting Axsome's pipeline.
Growing personalized medicine trend offers Axsome opportunities for tailored therapies.

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