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Drug Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Genesis Molecular AI

Senior CADD Scientist

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$97K - $132K/yr

Deep understanding of structure-based drug design and protein-ligand interactions. * Proficiency with industry-standard CADD tools such as MOE, PyMOL, and Schrodinger Suite. * Minimum of 2+ years of ...

Mount Sinai Hospital

Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$72K - $80K/yr

The role will require the structure-based drug design and synthesis of novel medicinal compounds for testing in in vitro and in vivo assays that support the basic biology and drug discovery research ...

Nurix

Medical Director, Drug Safety

Brisbane, CA · On-site

... drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and ...

3ds

INTERNSHIP: BIOVIA Cheminformatics

San Diego, CA · On-site

$22 - $40/hr

Participate in the design and optimization of algorithms for molecular modeling and drug design * Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to ensure software reliability and performance * Engage with ...

Nurix

Medical Director, Drug Safety

Brisbane, CA · On-site

... drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and ...

1910

AI Research Scientist I

Boston, MA

Apply productized AI and Machine Learning models to advance 1910's active drug design campaigns with the support of senior members of the AI Research Team * Write and publish peer reviewed ...

1910

AI Research Scientist I

Boston, MA · On-site

Apply productized AI and Machine Learning models to advance 1910's active drug design campaigns with the support of senior members of the AI Research Team * Write and publish peer reviewed scientific ...

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How much do drug design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug design in the United States is $17.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Drug Design, and why are they important?

To excel in Drug Design, a strong background in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and often a graduate degree in a related field are essential. Familiarity with molecular modeling software, cheminformatics tools, and high-throughput screening systems is typically required. Analytical thinking, creativity, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for identifying novel drug candidates and collaborating across disciplines. These skills enable the efficient development of safe, effective pharmaceuticals in a complex and highly regulated industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in drug design teams?

Professionals in drug design often encounter challenges such as balancing innovation with regulatory requirements and managing the complexity of biological systems. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams—including chemists, biologists, and computational scientists—can require strong communication skills to align on goals and methodologies. Additionally, tight project timelines and the need to iterate on compound structures based on early testing results are frequent hurdles. Staying updated with the latest technologies and methodologies is also essential for success in this rapidly evolving field.

What is the difference between Drug Design vs Medicinal Chemist?

AspectDrug DesignMedicinal Chemist
Required CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Pharmacology, or related fields; often advanced degreesDegree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related fields; often advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firmsResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms
Industry UsageFocuses on designing new drug candidates using computational and experimental methodsFocuses on synthesizing and optimizing chemical compounds for drugs

Drug Design and Medicinal Chemist roles overlap significantly, with both working in pharmaceutical research and requiring similar educational backgrounds. Drug Design emphasizes the conceptual creation of new drugs, often using computational tools, while Medicinal Chemists focus on synthesizing and refining these compounds. Both careers are vital in drug development and frequently searched together by professionals interested in pharmaceutical innovation.

What is drug design?

Drug design is the process of discovering and developing new medications based on the knowledge of biological targets. Scientists use techniques like computer modeling and chemical analysis to create molecules that interact specifically with proteins or enzymes involved in diseases. This approach helps to optimize the effectiveness and safety of new drugs before they are synthesized and tested in the laboratory. Drug design plays a crucial role in developing targeted therapies and accelerating the drug discovery process.
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Drug Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,177 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Senior CADD Scientist

Genesis Molecular AI

San Diego, CA • On-site, Remote

$97K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

Genesis Molecular AI is assembling a world-class computational chemistry team to revolutionize drug discovery through cutting-edge machine learning and biophysical simulation. We are seeking a Senior CADD Scientist to join our team, working directly with scientists in our state-of-the-art wet lab and with our distributed computational chemistry and CADD science teams across the US.
What You Will Do (Key Responsibilities)
  • Utilize a combination of industry-standard and proprietary AI-powered CADD tools to guide small molecule drug discovery programs across a diverse target portfolio, including novel targets with limited chemical precedents.
  • Use approaches like virtual screening, molecular simulation, and potency and ADMET prediction to support key decision-making in drug discovery efforts.
  • Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists in molecular design and the development of project-specific computational approaches.
  • Act as a cross-team connector, effectively communicating between our computational chemistry and medicinal chemistry teams to ensure seamless information flow and collaborative decision making.
  • Adapt to a fast-paced environment where innovation and quick iteration are encouraged.

What you'll bring
  • PhD in Computational Chemistry, Structural Biology, or a related field. This particular role may also be suitable for PhD-level scientists with degrees in organic or medicinal chemistry with extensive experience in the lab, who have transitioned into industry roles in CADD.
  • Deep understanding of structure-based drug design and protein-ligand interactions.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard CADD tools such as MOE, PyMOL, and Schrodinger Suite.
  • Minimum of 2+ years of industry experience as a CADD scientist in pharma or biotech, with hands-on experience in active drug discovery programs.
  • Onsite in our San Diego lab is preferred for this role, to be able to collaborate with our scientists. We are open to remote team members too.

What we offer
  • Competitive Pay
  • Health Care Plans (including Medical, Dental, and Vision, fully covered for the employees)
  • Stock Option Eligibility
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Open PTO Policy
  • Paid Company Holidays
  • Subsidized lunch and snacks at our offices

About Genesis Molecular AI
Genesis Molecular AI is pioneering foundation models for molecular AI to unlock a new era of drug design and development. The company's generative and predictive AI platform, GEMS (Genesis Exploration of Molecular Space), integrates AI and physics into industry-leading models to generate and optimize drug molecules, including the breakthrough generative diffusion model Pearl for structure prediction. Genesis has raised over $300 million from leading AI, tech and life science-focused investors, signed multiple AI-focused research collaborations with major pharma partners, and is deploying GEMS to advance an internal therapeutics pipeline for a variety of high-impact targets.
Genesis is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with a fully integrated laboratory in San Diego. We are proud to be an inclusive workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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