Principal Scientist/ (Associate) Director, Medicinal Chemistry

About us

SERAC Biosciences AG is looking for a Principal Scientist/ (Associate) Director, Medicinal Chemistry.
Ridgeline Discovery, a Versant Ventures Discovery Engine, creates and operates Versant-financed innovative biotech companies in partnership with entrepreneurs, industry, and leading academics across Europe. In recent years, Ridgeline has assembled an international team of >50 highly experienced drug discovery and industry professionals and built and operated multiple new successful companies; these companies have raised significant funds through Series B, IPO and an exit through a trade sale.

For our portfolio company SERAC Biosciences AG, we are looking for a motivated and experienced medicinal chemist who wants to play a key role in shaping our early discovery and drug design programs 
The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment, contributes scientific leadership, and enjoys solving complex challenges using modern tools and innovative approaches. At Serac, this person will help drive projects from idea to clinical candidate while working closely with cross-functional experts. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact in advancing new therapies.

Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership & Strategy:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to define and execute medicinal chemistry strategy across multiple early discovery and lead optimization programs.
• Actively contributes to Serac’s medicinal chemistry effort, advancing projects from early discovery through clinical candidate nomination.
• Apply advanced, multi-parameter optimization approaches to drive SAR, ADME, and efficacy in target molecules and actively promotes the use of enabling technologies. Fluent in data analysis software.
• Define project goals, set key scientific milestones, and ensure that programs remain on track through critical decision-making.

Project Management & Collaboration:

• Build strong collaborations across functions.
• with Ability to manage CRO relationships, ensuring the quality and efficiency of outsourced chemistry activities.
• Strong contributions/leadership of cross-functional project teams, contributing medicinal chemistry expertise and providing guidance to biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology functions.
• Contribute to strategic discussions within a multidisciplinary matrix team environment, promoting data-driven development and innovation.

Research & Development Innovation:

• Maintain a high level of technical skill and scientific knowledge, staying abreast of new methodologies and advancements in medicinal chemistry.
• Engage in scientific problem-solving to address challenges in lead discovery and optimization, utilizing insights from structural biology and computational chemistry.
• Represents Serac in interactions with stakeholders, external collaborators, and within the scientific community.

Qualifications

• Job level is based on experience.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry with 5+ years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, with a proven track record of advancing drug discovery programs from target ID to clinical candidate stage.
• Strong publication and/or patent record in the field of drug design, reflecting significant contributions to medicinal chemistry and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Experience in collaborating with CROs and managing multidisciplinary project teams.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to challenges with excellent communication skills in English, enabling productive collaboration in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

What we currently offer

• Offices: Our well-equipped laboratories and offices are located at the Tech Park, a premier address for early-stage start-ups in Basel.
• Commuter Benefits: We support our employees tailored to their personal needs in commuting to work and offer parking facilities or a commuter contribution.
• Flexible Working: We support flexible working as appropriate.
• Christmas Closure: In addition to the 24 holidays per year, our offices/labs are closed between Christmas and New Year.
• Birthday Retreat: On top of that, your birthday is your personal holiday - our employees enjoy their birthday with a day off.
• Food: We like get-togethers during lunch time. Enjoy tasty, subsidised meals from our FELFEL food fridge.
• Coffee: Meet up with your colleagues and grab free coffee.
• Development: We support the individual development of our employees.
• Creativity: We offer an innovative and creative environment.
• People: We are an international and diverse team with talented and passionate people.
• Fun: From time-to-time we organise cool off-site summer and winter team events.