About Us

Jnana Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its next-generation RAPID chemoproteomics platform to discover medicines for highly validated, challenging-to-drug targets to treat diseases with high unmet needs. Jnana is focused on developing first- and best-in-class therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including rare diseases and immune mediated diseases. Jnana’s wholly owned lead program, JNT-517, which targets an allosteric site on the phenylalanine transporter SLC6A19, is a potential first-in-class oral approach for the treatment of PKU, a rare genetic metabolic disease. Located in Boston, Jnana brings together scientific leaders in small molecule drug discovery and development, a highly experienced management team, and the backing of leading life science investors Bain Capital Life Sciences, RA Capital Management, Polaris Partners, Versant Ventures, Avalon Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, and AbbVie Ventures. For more information, please visit www.jnanatx.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

About the Opportunity

Jnana Therapeutics is seeking an exceptional Director/Senior Director, Medicinal Chemist to join our internal chemistry group focused on drug discovery programs for hard-to-drug targets. This individual will play a critical role in developing our platform and executing on drug discovery programs. Through small molecule screening using our novel and proprietary chemoproteomics RAPID platform, our research aims to identify novel small molecules against these challenging targets to interrogate target biology and ultimately to develop drug candidates that can provide clinical value to patients. 

Responsibilities

  • Provide medicinal chemistry leadership and program expertise to drive and lead programs from hit generation to clinical candidate selection using state of the art design principles and strategies
  • Provide key strategic input to new target identification, hit-generation, lead optimization and clinical development plans
  • Lead a team of highly skilled Medicinal Chemists and cultivate strong cross-functional working relationships
  • Work closely with external chemistry CRO teams to synthesize and screen target molecules
  • Work collaboratively across scientific disciplines on multiple projects
  • Proactively engage in brainstorming and the generation of new ideas across projects
  • Assist in preparing patent applications and publications
  • Help to build and expand an innovative platform for drug discovery and internal chemistry capabilities

Preferred Qualifications & Past Experience

  • Ph.D. and post-doctoral experience in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or closely related field with at least 10 years of industry experience successfully leading medicinal chemistry efforts in drug discovery into clinical development
  • Strong commitment to excellence and passion for drug discovery and development
  • Highly organized, detailed-oriented with excellent communication skills and passion for working in multidisciplinary teams
  • Demonstrated track-record of mentoring, developing and leading direct reports