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Computational Drug Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Computational Chemist

Saint Charles, MO · On-site +1

Contribute to the development, implementation and utilization of state-of-the-art computational software, computer aided drug design and simulation techniques to help drive in silico drug discovery ...

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Computational Drug Design information

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$40

$54

$74

How much do computational drug design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for computational drug design in the United States is $54.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.88 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is computational drug design?

Computational drug design is the use of computer-based methods and simulations to discover, develop, and optimize new pharmaceutical compounds. This field combines chemistry, biology, and computer science to model how potential drug molecules interact with biological targets, such as proteins or enzymes. Techniques like molecular docking, virtual screening, and molecular dynamics are commonly used to predict the efficacy and safety of new drugs before laboratory testing. By leveraging computational tools, researchers can significantly speed up the drug discovery process and reduce costs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computational drug design scientist?

To thrive as a Computational Drug Design scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, biology, and computer science, typically supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD) in a related field. Proficiency with molecular modeling software, cheminformatics tools, and programming languages such as Python or R is essential, along with familiarity with databases like PDB and software such as Schrödinger or MOE. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help translate computational findings into actionable insights for multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for efficiently identifying promising drug candidates and supporting data-driven decision-making in pharmaceutical research.

What are some common challenges faced in a computational drug design role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Computational Drug Design often encounter challenges such as managing large and complex datasets, integrating diverse software tools, and ensuring accurate modeling of biological systems. Addressing these challenges typically involves continuous learning to stay updated with the latest algorithms and software, collaborating closely with experimental scientists, and developing strong data management practices. Effective communication and teamwork are also essential, as the role frequently involves working in multidisciplinary teams to translate computational findings into actionable experimental strategies.

What is the difference between Computational Drug Design vs Medicinal Chemist?

AspectComputational Drug DesignMedicinal Chemist
Required CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or related field; strong computational skillsDegree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related field; laboratory experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms; primarily computer-basedLaboratories, pharmaceutical companies; hands-on chemical synthesis and analysis
Industry UsageDrug discovery, virtual screening, molecular modeling

Computational Drug Design focuses on using computer simulations and modeling to identify potential drug candidates, while Medicinal Chemists are involved in synthesizing and testing chemical compounds in the lab. Both roles are essential in the drug development process but differ in their methods and work environments.

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Computational Drug Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computational Drug Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,249 per year, or $54.9 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer - Computational Drug Discovery

5AM Ventures

Watertown, MA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Our team is dedicated to the development of a broad pipeline of small molecules powered by unique chemistry insights to address a wide range of highly unmet clinical needs.  Our company was created within 5AM Ventures' 4:59 Initiative in 2023.  
The computational team has roots from D. E. Shaw Research, one of the most rigorous computational science environments in the world. You will work directly with and learn from scientists who have operated at the frontier of computational drug discovery.

Your Role

This role sits at the intersection of machine learning research and the experimental teams that rely on computational tools to drive scientific decisions. Your primary responsibility will be ensuring that cutting-edge models move from research into production-reliably, maintainably, and in forms that scientists can effectively use.

For the right candidate, this is an unusually high-impact position. The systems you build will directly influence molecule triage, experimental prioritization, and the pace of scientific discovery. At many organizations, engineers are several layers removed from scientific decision-making. At our team, that distance is effectively zero.

We value ownership, initiative, and execution. Strong performers will have opportunities to grow into areas such as machine learning research, cheminformatics, AI-driven drug discovery, or agent development. The exact trajectory is flexible and can be shaped around individual strengths and interests.

Your Responsibilities
  • Own and maintain production machine learning infrastructure, ensuring models developed by the research team are robust, maintainable, and deployable
  • Develop computational tools, data pipelines, and machine learning systems that support scientific workflows across chemistry and biology
  • Collaborate closely with chemists and biologists to understand requirements and translate them into effective software solutions
  • Design and build internal AI agents and automation systems, with substantial opportunity to define both the technical direction and user experience
  • Write clean, well-tested, version-controlled code and contribute to a strong engineering culture through code review and technical collaboration
Your Background & Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Data Science, or a related technical field
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals, including code quality, testing, version control, and CI/CD practices
  • Hands-on experience developing machine learning systems using PyTorch
  • Familiarity with undergraduate-level organic chemistry; you do not need to be a chemist, but should be comfortable working with molecular structures and chemical concepts
  • Ability to communicate effectively with scientific collaborators from non-programming backgrounds
  • Strong sense of ownership and the ability to independently drive ambiguous projects from concept to completion
  • We are particularly excited to bring in people who enjoy turning research ideas into tools that scientists actually use. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating across disciplines, takes pride in building reliable systems, and appreciates the opportunity to have a direct impact on scientific decision-making.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with AWS, MLflow, SQL, Polars, pandas, Ray, or scikit-learn
  • Familiarity with LLM tooling, AI agents, or agent development frameworks
  • Background in cheminformatics, computational biology, bioinformatics, or related fields
  • Experience working in a startup, research, or other highly iterative technical environment

We believe great people do their best work when they're supported. That's why we offer competitive compensation, meaningful equity, comprehensive health benefits, generous time off, professional development opportunities, and the flexibility to do your best work.

In addition to base salary each role has a bonus target to share in company success as well as ownership through equity.

We also provide a full benefits package that is effective from your first day of hire that includes:

  • Medical/Dental insurance with the company covering 90% of your premiums 
    • Fully-funded HSA to cover your deductible responsibility
  • 100% Company-paid life insurance regardless if electing benefits
  • Free parking on-site 
  • Unaccrued vacation time, with the expectation for employees to take at least 3 weeks annually
  • 401k program, employee funded
  • Weekly catered team lunch
  • On-site fitness center with free classes and amenities

 We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies and external recruiters. No fees will be paid for such submissions.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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