Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Overview:

Medicinal Chemistry group at Alnylam is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished scientist to join our dynamic drug discovery team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecules aimed as delivery agents of oligonucleotides to extra-hepatic tissues. This individual will be responsible for driving project strategy and overseeing progression of our small molecule effort from hit identification through lead optimization, with a particular emphasis on suitability for clinical development as oligo conjugates.

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific Contribution:

• Design and execute synthetic routes for novel small molecules with desired pharmacological profiles, ADME properties, and physicochemical characteristics in the context of oligo delivery.
• Critically analyze SAR (Structure-Activity Relationships) and SPR (Structure-Property Relationships) data to guide compound design and optimization efforts.
• Drive the strategic direction of medicinal chemistry efforts within projects, ensuring alignment with program goals and timelines.
• Stay abreast of current literature, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
• Contribute to the identification of new drug targets and therapeutic hypotheses.

Project Progression & Collaboration:

• Serve as a key medicinal chemistry leader on one or more drug discovery projects, actively participating in and contributing to cross-functional project teams (e.g., biology, pharmacology, DMPK, toxicology, CMC).
• Present data, conclusions, and recommendations to project teams and senior management effectively and concisely.
• Collaborate closely with computational chemists to leverage advanced modeling techniques for compound design and lead optimization.
• Identify and manage CROs for synthetic chemistry, assay development, or other outsourced activities, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
• Provide scientific guidance and mentorship to more junior chemists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and continuous learning.
• Contribute to the generation and defense of intellectual property (e.g., patent applications, scientific publications).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry.
• Greater than 8 years of progressively responsible experience in small molecule drug discovery within a pharmaceutical setting.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing at least one compound into clinical development as a group leader or key contributor.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of modern synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and retrosynthetic analysis.
• Extensive experience in small molecule design and optimization, including a deep understanding of SAR, ADME, pharmacokinetics, and drug metabolism principles.
• Proficiency in interpreting complex biological and ADME data to inform compound design.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively interact with multidisciplinary teams and present complex scientific data to diverse audiences.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry tools and techniques (e.g., ligand-based and structure-based design).
• Extensive experience with outsourcing chemistry activities to CROs.

U.S. Pay Range

$169,000.00 - $238,200.00

The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics – a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.