We are seeking a highly motivated Vice President (VP) of Drug Discovery.

This role is responsible for driving Celeris Therapeutics pipeline programs across from hit identification to IND.

This individual will collaborate with cross-functional teams and will directly coordinate the Chemistry departments (Medicinal and Computational), recruit and train a nimble team and build a robust pipeline of preclinical programs and candidates.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of advancing oncology programs from early stages of target selection to IND filings.

• Lead the early stage drug discovery phases to successfully bring programs from target selection through to lead optimization.
• Guide technological implementations and innovations in computational chemistry and machine learning.
• Be a key leader in prioritization of programs targeting a variety of cancer targets. Risk mitigation, operational excellence (time, expenses), as well as strategic planning.
• Establish roadmap for building internal capabilities and infrastructure (chemistry laboratory) leveraging both internal expertise and external resources.
• Drive internal and external execution of research programs in hit ID, H2L and lead optimization, including leveraging CROs for medicinal chemistry and synthetic chemistry next to in-house synthesis efforts.
• Hands-on, proactive participation in our drug discovery efforts.
• Deliver and present key data packages and data-driven scientific updates to the organization that impact pipeline milestones and corporate objectives.
• Lead the expansion of the Medicinal Chemistry and Computational Chemistry teams, recruiting key talent and managing, developing, and mentoring team members as they continue their growth as an agile organization.
• Coordinate and drive the drafting and filing of IP derived from compound design efforts.

• Ph.D. with a strong medicinal chemistry background and a minimum of 15 years of discovery research experience in pharma/biotech industry and 8 years of specific leadership in medicinal chemistry and/or computational chemistry.
• Deep domain expertise in oncology with an established track record of advancing programs to IND; intimately familiar with competitive landscape in targeted protein degradation as well as latest scientific advances in the bRo5 space.
• Hands-on, proven scientific excellence in drug discovery and design, particularly hit ID hit-to-lead.
• Excellent oral, written, and strategic thinking skills with demonstrated ability to successfully lead the ideation and development of a plan and move to action.
• Proven track record as a speaker in conferences.
• Ability to navigate, problem-solve, execute, and lead in a dynamic, fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Ability to provide leadership act as a role modeling for members of the team and other parts of the organization while also rolling up the sleeves to drive on the ground execution.

Plus if experienced in setting-up synthesis laboratories.