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Scientist - Chemistry

Warp Sciences· Science
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South San FranciscoFull-timePosted 4d ago

About the role

Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry at Warp Sciences, contributing to client drug discovery programs by designing and executing multi-step organic syntheses, while collaborating with AI scientists and roboticists to integrate chemistry with automated platforms.

Responsibilities

  • Design, plan, and execute multi-step organic synthesis of target compounds in support of client medicinal chemistry and hit-to-lead/lead optimization programs.
  • Propose and evaluate synthetic routes, including retrosynthetic analysis, selection of viable pathways, and identification of scalable, cost-effective alternatives.
  • Perform reaction optimization (yield, selectivity, purity, scalability) and troubleshoot synthetic problems using sound mechanistic reasoning.
  • Purify and characterize intermediates and final compounds using standard techniques (column chromatography, prep-HPLC, recrystallization) and analytical methods (LCMS, NMR, HPLC, HRMS).
  • Accurately and promptly record experimental procedures, observations, and results in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) in accordance with company and client documentation standards.
  • Support scale-up of key intermediates and final compounds as required by project needs.
  • Communicate progress, data, and route strategy clearly and regularly to project leaders and, where applicable, directly to client scientists.
  • Generate clean, well-structured experimental data (reaction inputs/outputs, conditions, yields, analytical results) suitable for use as high-quality training data for machine learning and reaction-prediction models.
  • Partner closely with AI scientists and roboticists to translate synthetic routes and bench protocols into procedures executable on automated/robotic synthesis platforms, providing chemistry expertise during platform design, testing, and validation.
  • Provide hands-on feedback on automated workflows (liquid handling, automated reaction setup, in-line analytics) and help troubleshoot discrepancies between manual and automated execution of chemistry.
  • Support iterative improvement of self-driving lab and automated chemistry capabilities by flagging edge cases, failure modes, and data quality issues encountered at the bench.
  • Maintain compliance with laboratory safety protocols, chemical hygiene procedures, and proper handling/disposal of hazardous materials.
  • Manage time and priorities effectively across multiple concurrent projects and client deadlines.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of synthetic methods, workflows, and best practices within the chemistry group.

Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.
  • 0–3 years of relevant synthetic organic chemistry experience (industry, CRO, or advanced academic/graduate research); internship or co-op experience considered for entry-level candidates.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with multi-step organic synthesis and standard purification techniques.
  • Working knowledge of retrosynthetic analysis and route design principles.
  • Proficiency interpreting spectroscopic and analytical data (NMR, LCMS, HPLC) to confirm structure and purity.
  • Solid understanding of laboratory safety practices and safe handling of reactive/hazardous chemicals.
  • Strong record-keeping and documentation habits; experience with ELN systems is a plus.
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly to project teams.

Skills

Required:Multi-step organic synthesisRetrosynthetic analysisPurification techniquesAnalytical data interpretationELN documentation

Benefits

  • N/A
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Warp Sciences

Warp Sciences | AI and robotics for faster drug discovery

Warp is the U.S. chemistry CRO helping scientists discover new medicines faster. We bring expert chemists, AI, and robotics together to make the molecules research teams need—and build automated labs that learn from every experiment.

AIroboticsdrug discoverychemistry CROautomation
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