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Director Chemistry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Director, Regulatory Affairs CMC

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$190K - $285K/yr

The Director, Chemistry Manufacturing Controls (CMC) leads a Regulatory CMC team responsible for developing and executing global regulatory strategies across multiple investigational and commercial ...

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Director, Medicinal Chemistry

San Diego, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

The Director, Medicinal Chemistry, will report to the Chief Executive Officer. The Director will have direct line managerial responsibility for other Scientists and Research Associates. Key ...

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$28K

$116.5K

$187.5K

How much do director chemistry jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director chemistry in the United States is $116,457.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of chemistry do?

A Director of Chemistry is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the operations and strategic direction of a chemistry department or division, often within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or research organization. Their duties include managing teams of chemists, setting research priorities, allocating resources, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and collaborating with other departments. They play a key role in driving innovation, guiding project development, and ensuring the quality and integrity of scientific work. The Director of Chemistry also mentors staff, manages budgets, and represents the department in executive meetings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of chemistry?

To thrive as a Director of Chemistry, you need an advanced degree (PhD or MSc) in chemistry or a related field, with significant experience in research, laboratory management, and regulatory compliance. Expertise in analytical instrumentation, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and familiarity with industry standards such as GLP or GMP is often required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing teams and driving innovation. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure scientific excellence, regulatory adherence, and successful project delivery in a complex and dynamic environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of chemistry in managing multidisciplinary research teams?

A Director of Chemistry often coordinates projects involving chemists, biologists, engineers, and other specialists. One common challenge is ensuring effective communication and collaboration across these diverse teams, as each discipline may have different approaches and terminologies. Balancing administrative responsibilities with staying current on scientific advancements can also be demanding. Additionally, the Director must prioritize projects, allocate resources efficiently, and foster a culture of innovation while meeting organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Director Chemistry vs Senior Chemist?

AspectDirector ChemistrySenior Chemist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), extensive experience, leadership skillsTypically a Master's or PhD, specialized technical expertise
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team management, cross-department collaborationLaboratory research, experimental design, technical analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch & development departments, pharmaceutical, chemical manufacturingResearch labs, product development, quality control

The main difference between Director Chemistry and Senior Chemist lies in their scope of responsibilities and experience. Directors focus on strategic leadership and managing teams, while Senior Chemists are more involved in hands-on research and technical tasks. Both roles require strong chemistry expertise, but the Director role emphasizes leadership and oversight.

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Director Chemistry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Chemistry job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,457 per year, or $56 per hour.

Director, Chemistry, Next Generation Genetic Medicine

Ignite Human Capital

San Diego, CA • On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Ignite Human Capital is proud to represent a confidential client — a cutting-edge, early-stage genetic medicine company pioneering RNA-targeted therapeutics. This organization is developing novel approaches to precisely correct disease-causing mutations at the RNA level, with the potential to address conditions long considered undruggable. Backed by strong science and a focused leadership team, the company is advancing its pipeline through IND-enabling studies and beyond.

The Director, Chemistry will serve as a key scientific and strategic leader, owning the design, optimization, and advancement of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics — with particular focus on conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery technologies.

What you'll do
  • Lead scientific strategy and execution for conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery approaches across oligonucleotide therapeutic programs.
  • Drive innovation in conjugation design, chemical optimization, and ligand-mediated delivery technologies.
  • Establish and advance platform capabilities in bioconjugation, receptor/ligand targeting, and extrahepatic delivery systems.
  • Lead multidisciplinary teams advancing programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
  • Design and optimize conjugation strategies to improve potency, stability, pharmacokinetics, tissue specificity, and therapeutic index.
  • Collaborate with biology, DMPK, toxicology, translational sciences, and clinical development teams to drive candidate selection and advancement.
  • Identify, assess, and integrate novel conjugation chemistries, targeting ligands, and delivery technologies, including antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs).
  • Build, mentor, and inspire high-performing scientific teams; foster a collaborative and innovative culture.
  • Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and external collaborators.
  • Support external partnerships, collaborations, and diligence activities related to delivery and conjugation technologies.
  • Stay current with scientific advancements and the competitive landscape in oligonucleotide therapeutics and conjugate technologies.
What you'll bring
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
  • 10+ years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutics, conjugation chemistry, or targeted delivery platforms within biotech or pharma.
  • Demonstrated success advancing therapeutic programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
  • Strong experience with ligand-mediated delivery, receptor targeting, and extrahepatic delivery approaches.
  • Deep expertise in bioconjugation technologies and emerging delivery modalities.
  • Proven leadership managing cross-functional scientific teams and complex research programs.
  • Strong understanding of pharmacology, DMPK, biodistribution, and translational considerations for oligonucleotide therapeutics.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and strategic leadership skills.
Compensation & benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package including base salary, annual performance bonus, and equity awards. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with matching, generous PTO, paid holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program.

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