Computational Theoretical Chemist I

Job Description

Company Overview

We are the only AI-native biotech, pioneering small and large molecule therapeutics discovery by integrating massive multimodal data, frontier AI models, and high-throughput lab automation into an infrastructure for AI-enabled drug discovery.

We hire top 1% talent to join our interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, researchers, operators, innovators, drug developers, business professionals, and technologists.

Join us to build the world's first AI infrastructure for tech-enabled drug discovery and to deliver a pipeline of diverse drug modalities for all major disease areas.

Computation is revolutionizing drug discovery. Advances in big chemical data, massive computing power, artificial intelligence, and molecular dynamics simulations are changing the way we develop new drugs. At 1910, we put computation at the heart of drug discovery, blending expertise in computational chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, data science, and software engineering to develop drugs for previously undruggable targets.

Role Description

Own computational theoretical chemistry programs across therapeutic modalities, disease targets, and indications

Ensure effective collaboration with the Biology, and Medicinal Chemistry teams by providing key computational chemistry insights to aid in the Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimization phases of drug discovery operations

Ensure effective collaboration with the ML Engineering and AI Research team by providing key computational chemistry insights to aid in the development of AI/ML models for drug discovery as well as the incorporation of those models into drug discovery operations

Teach key computational chemistry principles to your cross-disciplinary colleagues from Medicinal Chemistry, AI Research, Machine Learning Engineering, Cell Biology, and Pharmacology

Partner to improve 1910's existing process for progressing from computational hit to experimental hit to lead to drug candidate

Co-author provisional patents and peer-reviewed research papers

Validate a cellular hit in a clinically relevant animal model of disease

Update provisional patents with the animal model data

Nominate a lead candidate for progression into IND-enabling studies

Attend and present research at conferences and events related to computational modeling in drug discovery

Qualifications

Ph.D. in computational chemistry or related discipline

In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with quantum chemical (QC) methods, including semi-empirical and density functional theory (DFT) approaches, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, including both standard MD and enhanced sampling techniques such as metadynamics, umbrella sampling, and replica exchange MD, free energy simulations such as FEP and TI, and QM/MM methodologies for small and large molecular systems

Strong understanding of key concepts, including potential energy surfaces (PES), intermolecular and intramolecular forces/interactions, force fields, molecular properties, thermodynamic properties, solvation models (implicit/explicit), and conformational sampling

Proficiency in analyzing molecular properties such as solvation free energy, dipole moments, vibrational frequencies, electrostatic potential, charge distribution, and more

Deep knowledge of implicit and explicit solvent models, with extensive experience modeling solvent effects on molecular systems and chemical reactions in various environments

Extensive experience in using and troubleshooting software tools for QC calculations (e.g., ORCA, xTB, CREST, etc.), MD simulations (e.g., GROMACS, OpenMM, etc.), Drug Design Development Packages (e.g., EG, Schrodinger, MOE, CRESSET)

Experience working with HPC Clusters and cloud-based services like (e.g., Microsoft AZURE, AWS)

Ability to optimize computational simulation protocols for efficient resource usage

Proven experience working with small organic molecules and large biomolecular systems (e.g., peptides, proteins, etc.) for property prediction, conformational analysis, and structure-activity relationships (SAR)

Hands-on experience with Python and Bash scripting for automating workflows and data analysis

Familiarity with cheminformatics toolkits such as RDKit for molecular property prediction and data management

Basic knowledge of machine learning (ML) techniques applied to molecular property prediction, virtual screening, and related tasks

Strong desire to collaborate with AI scientists, data scientists, medicinal chemists, and biologists to interpret computational results and guide experimental design

Clear and effective communication of complex scientific ideas through reports, presentations, and publications

Nice to Haves

Relevant industry experience via internship and co-op

Publication records in computational chemistry related to drug discovery

#LI-Onsite

Diversity and Inclusion (1910's Promise)

At 1910, we believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace furthers relevance, resilience, and longevity. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. 1910 is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the interview process, please let your recruiter know. While 1910 supports visa sponsorship, sponsorship opportunities may be limited to certain roles and skills.

Benefits and Perks

Competitive compensation package

Above market benefits

Generous vacation and parental leave

Super cool team building activities

Great colleagues

Full-time