Who We are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description: 

Calico is seeking an experienced Process Chemist to join our laboratory-based chemical development team. The ideal candidate brings extensive hands-on experience in process research, route scouting, and scale-up of organic molecules. In this role, you will design, optimize, and execute synthetic processes that enable efficient, safe, and scalable manufacturing of small-molecule intermediates and APIs. This is a lab-focused position requiring strong experimental skills, deep organic chemistry knowledge, and the ability to translate laboratory findings into robust processes. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot synthetic routes for intermediates and drug substance candidates
• Perform laboratory experiments to improve yields, selectivity, throughput, and impurity control
• Conduct detailed reaction analysis using, HPLC, GC, LC-MS, and other analytical techniques
• Perform impurity identification and synthesis
• Identify and mitigate process risks related to safety, scalability, and robustness
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners including analytical chemistry, formulations, and quality assurance 
• Prepare clear, data-driven reports and present experimental results to project teams
• Support technology transfer to contract manufacturing organizations, including review of master batch records and process descriptions
• Maintain accurate lab documentation and adhere to all safety and compliance standards

Position Requirements: 

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field with 8+ years of relevant industrial experience in process chemistry
• Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanism fundamentals
• Demonstrated success in developing scalable synthetic processes
• Proficiency with standard analytical instruments and data interpretation
• Excellent problem-solving, organization, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team environment
• Familiarity with cGMP and ICH guidelines 
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality experimentation
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities
• A proactive, collaborative mindset with enthusiasm for process improvement
• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $198,000 - $241,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.

tl;dr

General Proximity is a seed-stage startup developing the next generation of induced proximity medicines (IPMs). Our OmniTAC drug discovery engine furnishes molecules that co-opt existing cellular machinery to overcome therapeutic challenges, which have remained unapproachable to other modalities for decades.

We are seeking a first-rate medicinal chemist to help us pioneer this uncharted frontier of drug discovery.

Our Story

A long-standing challenge in drug discovery is the development of molecules capable of modulating difficult or "undruggable" targets. Disease-causing proteins can be dysfunctional in many different ways, but our armamentarium for fixing them is quite limited. The most common mechanism of action for FDA-approved drugs is inhibition[1], but there are many other possible perturbation types whose potential remains unrealized.

General Proximity is a seed-stage drug discovery company developing a novel platform technology to solve this problem. We make bifunctional drugs that induce the modification of drug targets by existing cellular machinery (rather than through direct modulation by the drug, the classical approach).

Historically, the development of technologies that allow one to push new buttons in biology has been an incredibly fertile field for the discovery of new medicines[2, 3, 4], and our technology holds the same promise.

The Position

We are seeking an experienced medicinal chemist with chemical biology training to be a founding member of our Chemistry/Drug Discovery Team. In this position, you will work with both our Chemistry and Platform Teams in the development of our core drug discovery technology and the generation of a completely novel class of therapeutics.

Your responsibilities will include: supervising synthetic efforts with our CROs, performing and analyzing in cellulo assays, designing and optimizing first-in-class bifunctional molecules, collaborating with our Drug Discovery and IP team on patent applications, providing input for mechanistic studies on lead drug molecules, and spearheading forays into new disease areas.

About You

High Agency. Initiative, independence, and self-accountability are some of our most valued traits.

Enthusiastic. We love people who are excited about what they are doing and are generally attempting to build a high-energy team.

Intensity and Grit. Early-stage startups are hard. Drug discovery is doubly so. We are looking for candidates who have a demonstrated ability to stick with complex problems for the long haul, with a team that has your back along the way.

Prosocial. We are here to create life-saving medicines for the patients who need it most. You should be, too.

Qualifications & Nice-To-Haves

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmacology, or related field.
• Industry experience is desirable, but the ability to work hard and learn fast is more important to us.
• Deep understanding of small-molecule drug discovery and its relationship to human disease.
• Applicant must be able to work fluently at the interface of chemistry and biology.
• Top-notch written and oral communication skills.

• Strong experience with:
  • Designing, synthesizing, and optimizing induced proximity medicines (e.g. PROTACs or other IPMs)
  • Contributing to hit-to-lead and lead optimization studies
  • Med-chem optimizations: SAR, PK/PD, strong understanding of DMPK
  • Applicant must have experience with chemical biology techniques such as mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays (e.g., cytotoxicity assays, transfections, stable cell line generation, co-immunoprecipitation), PPI assays (e.g., BRET, APEX/BioID, AlphaScreen), or strong experience in computational chemistry
    

• Nice to have:
  • Proficiency in HTS and phenotypic assay development
  • Proteomics experience: PTM analysis, chemo-proteomic target deconvolution, etc.
  • Computational or molecular dynamics drug discovery experience
  • DEL experience
  • Experience managing others, especially synthetic chemistry CRO teams
  • Prior experience on teams that have successfully advanced research to the clinic

Benefits

• Strong equity incentives. We are looking for candidates who will bring a strong sense of ownership to drive their project areas forward, and we believe that you deserve to be compensated accordingly.
• Top tier medical, dental, and vision coverage + One Medical membership.
• 401(k) retirement plans.
• Education and health/fitness incentive programs.
• Meditation retreats—do a ten-day Vipassana retreat without counting towards vacation days. 
• Reading budget! We will buy you books. 📚
• Located in the MBC BioLabs at 135 Mississippi Street, an entrepreneurial hub full of the best scientists and operators the Bay Area has to offer. Our lab is a very short walk from the 22nd St Caltrain Station and a number of wonderful restaurants and cafés.

About Us

Work Hard/Play Hard. We believe time is our most valuable commodity, so we strive to create a culture that reflects this. We won’t drag you through unnecessary meetings or email you at 7 PM on a Saturday. When we're at work, we're there to get things done, and when we're off, we're really off. 🌴

Strong Communication. We like well-written documents over PowerPoints, OKRs over vague mission statements, and weekly one-on-ones over yearly reviews.

Writing First. We have a "writing-first" culture. We believe that clarity of writing reflects clarity of thinking and that the benefits of well-written documentation in a scientific environment are innumerable: democratization of ideation and decision-making, increased reproducibility, quicker scaling and onboarding, and better company-wide alignment, to name a few.

Growth. As an early-stage startup, we value scientists with an independent, can-do attitude. The more hats you can wear, the better. Our job as employers is to put you in positive feedback loops so you can grow in the direction of your choosing.

Title and compensation commensurate with experience. Applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, women, and members of underrepresented minority groups are particularly welcomed. We look forward to hearing from you. :)

More info at jobs.generalproximity.bio

About the Role >>> Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry 

As the Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry reporting to the Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry, you will design and synthesize novel small molecules as part of ongoing research program hit-to-lead and lead optimization efforts. You will have the opportunity for strong scientific collaboration with the internal medicinal chemistry team and will provide scientific oversight of external resources involved in the design and synthesis of novel small molecule drug candidates.  You may lead the organic chemistry function within multidisciplinary project teams to help advance drug discovery projects from inception to the clinic in support of our mission to deliver novel medicines to the cancer patients who need them.  

 This role is based out of our San Francisco Bay Area Laboratory and will require 5% travel. 

 Your work will primarily encompass: 

• Performing hit-to-lead and lead optimization by designing and synthesizing novel small molecules. 
• Supporting and guiding external chemistry resources by designing synthetic strategies, prioritizing targets, and proposing creative solutions to chemistry problems. 
• Advancing novel small molecule hits and lead compounds into clinical candidates by leveraging structure-based drug design, and/or multi-parameter lead optimization. 
• Effectively communicating scientific results and progress. 

And will also include: 

• Collaborating with internal biology and pharmacology teams, CROs, and consultants, including DMPK scientists and CADD experts. 
• Communicating project results and progress to key internal stakeholders. 
• Developing internal talent by providing positive mentorship while fostering a culture of collegiality, accountability, and scientific rigor. 
• Partnering with internal colleagues and external collaborators in cross-functional teams to ensure efficient progression of new compounds through assay workflows. 
• Assisting in writing scientific manuscripts/posters in support of Olema’s publication strategy. 
• Active participation in laboratory safety and environmental initiatives. 

Ideal Candidate Profile >>>  

A love of challenging, important work. We are a pragmatic team, driven to imagine and develop meaningful therapies for improving lives. All employees within our company play a unique and crucial role in our success, both in accomplishing our mission and building a positive company culture. As such, we are looking for someone with the right combination of knowledge, experience, and attributes for this role. 

Knowledge: 

• Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry. 
• Strong knowledge of state-of-the-art synthetic organic chemistry methodology and possess outstanding synthetic trouble-shooting skills. 
• Working knowledge of structure-based drug design as demonstrated by publications or patents. 

Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 years as a medicinal chemist in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. 
• Proven experience collaboration with and supporting external medicinal chemistry FTEs. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in computational modeling software and cheminformatics tools (e.g., Maestro, MOE) 
• Experience with chemical databases such as Dotmatics a plus. 
• Protein Degrader experience a plus. 

Attributes: 

• Have impeccable professional ethics, integrity, and judgment. 
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic; fast learner who can identify project challenges and expeditiously change course as required in a fast-paced organization.  
• Teamwork and collaboration; balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; shares expertise with others. 
• Be a “difference maker” in terms of ones’ professionalism and contributions. 
• Strong verbal and scientific writing skills to effectively share information with a wide range of internal and external audiences.

The base pay range for this position is expected to be $160,000-$170,000 annually, however the base pay offered may vary depending on location, market, job related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes equity, bonus, and benefits.

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