Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist - Lead Generation

About Superluminal Medicines:

Superluminal Medicines is a generative biology and chemistry company revolutionizing the speed and accuracy of how small molecule medicines are created. The Company’s platform aims to create candidate-ready compounds with unprecedented speed using a combination of deep biology, computational and medicinal chemistry, machine learning, and proprietary big data infrastructure. We are expanding the team of talented scientists who seek to build the future of small molecule drug discovery with creativity and innovation.

About the Role

Superluminal is seeking a creative, resourceful, and strategically minded Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist to play a critical scientific role within our Lead Generation department. This position will provide hit finding and lead generation chemistry expertise and cross-functional collaboration across small-molecule drug discovery programs targeting membrane receptors, with a particular focus on GPCRs.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of integrating computational methods into drug discovery workflows, enabling high-quality lead candidate series(s), accelerating the hit to lead and lead optimization efforts.  A deep understanding of the interdisciplinary drug discovery process—with a focus on hit/lead generation through lead optimization is essential. This role requires excellent analytical judgment, organizational skills, and scientific decision-making, along with demonstrated success advancing drug-like molecules toward the clinic.

This position is a key contributor within the Superluminal Medicinal Chemistry and Lead Generation teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a project-level hit finding/lead generation chemistry lead, designing hit finding/validation/optimization workflows. Executing medicinal chemistry strategies to support early stage discovery through to  lead optimization programs, leveraging CRO FTEs for synthesis of small-molecule GPCR modulators.
• Collaborate closely with biology, biophysics, DMPK, structural biology, and computational chemistry teams to translate multidisciplinary data into effective compound design strategies.
• Establish hit validation and lead generation best practices to minimize uncertainty and ambiguity of chemical matter, ensuring quality chemical starting points thus reducing timelines from LO transition to DC nomination.
• Develop and apply multiparameter structure–activity relationships (SAR) to optimize compound potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Contribute scientific input to platform and technology development efforts that enhance discovery of next-generation GPCR-targeted therapeutics.
• Promote a culture of scientific rigor and excellence through active participation in project teams, internal scientific discussions, and external collaborations.
• Clearly communicate research strategy, data, and conclusions through internal meetings, project reviews, and contributions to publications and patent filings.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry with approximately 8–12 years of industry experience or Ph.D. in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry with approximately 5–8 years of industry experience
• Strong track record of scientific contributions in small-molecule drug discovery programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in SAR development, ADME, PK/PD, and optimization of drug-like properties.
• Experience working closely with computational chemistry to design molecules, create screening hypotheses and analyze data.
• Experience leading or making significant contributions to programs advancing compounds toward lead optimization.
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary discovery teams and integrate complex datasets into clear, actionable plans.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills, with the ability to influence project direction and support the development of junior scientists.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Superluminal Medicines is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status.