Computational Chemist

Gate Bioscience is a venture-backed, preclinical biotech company creating a new class of medicines called Molecular Gates. Our therapeutics are small molecules that aim to cure diseases by selectively eliminating harmful extracellular proteins at their origin: inside the cell. Every extracellular protein—of which there are more than 4,000—must pass through a single channel in the cell before it can be secreted into the body. Molecular Gates bind to this channel, setting up a “gate” that recognizes and blocks a specific, disease-causing protein from exiting. With nowhere to go, the protein is degraded instead of being secreted. By eliminating the harmful protein at the source, Gate aims to eliminate the disease for patients. Founded in 2021, Gate is backed by Versant Ventures, a16z Bio + Health, ARCH Venture Partners, and GV. Learn more at www.gatebio.com.

The Role:

The Computational Chemist will play a key role in developing optimization strategies for our most important drug discovery campaigns. This role will review experimental results and develop SAR hypotheses for activity, selectivity and properties, and make suggestions to improve the profiles of our leading molecules. In addition, the ideal candidate will work closely with biochemistry, structural biology and functional genomics to bring insights from protein-protein and protein small molecule modeling to further enhance our understanding of the novel mechanism of molecular gates. This role will provide leadership and strategic opportunities via target selection, experimental design, developing and enhancing our chemical library, managing external resources, and mentoring junior scientists. As an integral member of our team, this candidate will work closely with other scientists on drug discovery and pre-clinical projects from a computational perspective.

In this role you will:

• Spearhead modeling initiatives and strategically applying computational chemistry expertise across all stages of a program including target selection, target validation, lead generation and lead optimization to enable delivery of drug candidates into clinical development
• Utilizing various informatics and modeling techniques to analyze large datasets and accelerate the evolution of drug discovery leads as well as enhance our chemical library
• Identify gaps in current methodologies, be able to implement new technologies and lead the internalization of promising approaches
• Lead aspects of our capability build and working groups toward our future-state vision of computational drug discovery at our company
• Be curious, innovation driven, and willing to test out hypotheses and embark on novel method development
• Effectively communicate with colleagues and stakeholders; create and present research updates and provide strategic input to team/company meetings
  
  

What to expect if you join us:

In the first month, you will work closely with our scientists to gain understanding of internal drug discovery and pre-clinical programs and begin to define best practices from a computational perspective.

By three months, you begin to review experimental results and analyze datasets to build expertise as you begin to develop modeling initiatives geared toward chemical diversity expansion and mechanism of action.

By six months, you will begin to provide suggestions on how to improve the profiles of our leading projects and to provide insights into the molecular mechanism of action.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. or M.S. in a computational chemistry or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• Expert level experience with a wide range of leading computational tools and approaches including prediction/model development with application across all stages of a project from hit ID through to candidate nomination
• Evidence of creative application of computational chemistry approaches to problems of biological interest
• Demonstrated broad success in advancing drug discovery through computation, both independently and as a team leader
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with a recognized ability to positively influence decisions and strategy
• Defining best practices for computational chemistry and directly influencing their execution
  
  

Compensation:

Below is the expected salary range for this position. Individual compensation is based on various factors, including level, experience, education, skill set, and geographic location. This range is for our San Francisco Bay Area, location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas. Target Salary Range: $170,000 - $270,000.

In addition to salary, Gate Bioscience offers equity in the company, a robust benefits package, 401(k) program with employer match, and the opportunity to be a part of ground-breaking research.

Gate Bioscience is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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