Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry

The Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry at Septerna is key to advancing small molecule drug discovery programs. Responsibilities include shaping the computational chemistry strategy, optimizing workflows from hit identification to candidate selection, and employing both ligand-based and structure-based design methods. Collaboration with teams in Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, and Research Informatics is crucial, as well as leveraging modern computational tools to drive innovative approaches in drug discovery.

At Septerna, the ideal candidate for the Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry position should hold a Ph.D. in computational chemistry, chemical informatics, or a related field, along with at least 8 years of industrial experience in small molecule drug design. Proficiency in both ligand-based and structure-based methods, combined with a strong understanding of MD simulations, predictive modeling, and data analysis, is highly sought after. Additionally, strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.

The work environment for a Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry at Septerna is dynamic and collaborative, fostering innovation through diversity of thought and expertise. The team shares a common goal of creating groundbreaking therapeutics, and employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. This inclusive culture allows for shared learning and growth, making it an exciting place to advance your career in drug discovery.

Career growth as a Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry at Septerna is vibrant, with opportunities to lead projects that significantly impact the development of innovative therapeutics. With a focus on collaboration and continuous learning, the role offers pathways to expand your skillset and expertise while working alongside industry-leading professionals. Successful contributions enhance your visibility within the company, act as a springboard for future leadership roles, and offer a rewarding career trajectory in biotechnology.

Septerna offers a competitive compensation package for the Senior Staff Scientist, Computational Chemistry position, which includes a salary range of $170,000 to $185,000, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to salary, the benefits package includes stock options, an annual target bonus, health insurance, and an inclusive workplace culture that promotes diversity and collaboration among all employees.

When discussing your experience with ligand-based drug design methods during your interview for the Senior Staff Scientist role at Septerna, highlight specific projects where you utilized pharmacophore modeling and data from high-throughput screening. Emphasize the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, detailing the impact of your designs on drug discovery efforts.

In your interview, share examples of how you've successfully used structure-based drug design in your work, including specific instances of docking studies or utilizing X-ray and Cryo-EM structures. Mention collaboration with cross-functional teams and how your findings directly influenced lead optimization or candidate selection.

Discuss your proficiency with computational tools relevant to drug discovery, such as molecular dynamics simulations or software for virtual screening. Illustrate how you've effectively leveraged these tools in previous roles to enhance drug design outcomes and collaborations with other departments at Septerna.

When answering this question, stress the importance of cross-functional collaboration in your work. Provide specific examples demonstrating your ability to develop hypotheses and solutions through effective communication with both medicinal chemistry and structural biology teams, ultimately contributing to successful drug development projects.

In your response, outline how you invest time in professional development, such as attending conferences, participating in workshops, and reading recent publications in computational chemistry. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how it enhances your contributions as a Senior Staff Scientist at Septerna.

Prepare to narrate a specific incident where you faced a significant challenge in your drug design process. Describe your decision-making process, the strategies you employed, and the ultimate success of your efforts. Connect this experience to how you would handle challenges at Septerna.

When addressing this question, share your insights on current trends in computational chemistry, such as the integration of machine learning and data-driven approaches into drug discovery. Highlight how you will apply your knowledge of these trends to advance Septerna's mission of developing transformative therapeutics.

During your interview, explain your approach to project management and prioritization, highlighting methods you use to keep organized and meet deadlines in a dynamic setting. Discuss examples from your previous roles where effective prioritization led to successful project completion.

Share your passion for computational chemistry and how it aligns with Septerna's mission. Illustrate your dedication to addressing unmet patient needs through innovative drug discovery, emphasizing how you strive to develop disease-modifying therapeutics.

Discuss your experience presenting complex scientific concepts in clear and engaging ways to diverse audiences, from scientists to non-scientific stakeholders. Provide examples of past presentations or collaborative efforts where effective communication played a key role in successfully sharing your work.