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Small Molecule Drug Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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How much do small molecule drug development jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for small molecule drug development in the United States is $37.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.96 and $54.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive in Small Molecule Drug Development, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or M.S. in a related field. Proficiency with laboratory techniques, analytical instrumentation (like HPLC and mass spectrometry), and drug discovery software is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, collaboration, and project management abilities help professionals excel in multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are critical for efficiently advancing compounds through the drug discovery pipeline and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in small molecule drug development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in small molecule drug development often face challenges such as balancing tight project timelines with rigorous regulatory requirements and managing cross-disciplinary collaboration between chemistry, biology, and clinical teams. Navigating unexpected results in preclinical or clinical studies can also require rapid problem-solving and adaptation. Building strong communication skills and staying updated on the latest regulatory guidelines and scientific advances can help address these challenges. Working closely with team members from diverse backgrounds fosters innovative solutions and keeps projects on track.

What is small molecule drug development?

Small molecule drug development is the process of discovering, designing, and bringing to market pharmaceutical compounds that have low molecular weight and can easily enter cells to affect biological processes. These drugs are typically administered orally and are used to treat a wide range of diseases. The development process involves several stages, including target identification, compound screening, preclinical testing, and clinical trials before regulatory approval. Small molecule drugs are distinct from biologics, which are larger and more complex molecules like proteins or antibodies.
More about Small Molecule Drug Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Small Molecule Drug Development jobs? Cities with the most Small Molecule Drug Development job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Small Molecule Drug Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Small Molecule Drug Development jobs are:
Infographic showing various Small Molecule Drug Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,216 per year, or $37.6 per hour.
Scientist/Senior Scientist - AI Small Molecule Drug Design

Scientist/Senior Scientist - AI Small Molecule Drug Design

Systimmune

Redmond, WA โ€ข On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

SystImmune is a leading and well-funded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug development platforms, focusing on bi-specific, multi-specific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). SystImmune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications. Alongside ongoing clinical trials. SystImmune has a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discover and IND-enabling stages, representing cutting-edge biologics development. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company's success.
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Systimmune Inc. is seeking an innovative and driven AI Scientist or Senior Scientist to contribute to our AI-driven small molecule drug design efforts. The successful candidate will work as part of our interdisciplinary team, focusing on using computational methods and machine learning to discover and design small molecules that can be developed into therapeutic drugs. This role will involve applying AI to predict molecular properties, optimize drug-like characteristics, and enhance the lead development process.


The ideal candidate will have experience in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and the application of AI and machine learning techniques to small molecule drug discovery. This individual will collaborate closely with chemists, biologists, and computational scientists to drive drug development from discovery through preclinical stages.


Responsibilities:

  • Develop and optimize AI-driven small molecule drug design pipelines to predict molecular properties, perform virtual screening, and improve drug-like characteristics.
  • Utilize advanced AI methods such as generative modeling (e.g., DiffDock, ProteinMPNN), deep learning, and reinforcement learning to generate novel small molecules and predict their interactions.
  • Implement AI-based molecular docking methods (e.g., DiffDock) to improve binding affinity predictions, optimize lead compounds, and enhance virtual screening efficiency.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, biology, and computational biology, to integrate AI methods into drug discovery workflows, ensuring a seamless transition from computational design to experimental validation.
  • Lead AI-driven efforts in drug manufacturing, optimizing small molecule synthesis routes, yield predictions, and manufacturability profiles of novel drug candidates.
  • Apply virtual screening techniques using AI models to explore vast chemical spaces, prioritize compound libraries, and identify promising lead candidates for various therapeutic targets.
  • Analyze and interpret computational data to guide decision-making in the drug design process, focusing on optimizing molecular properties such as pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy.
  • Contribute to the development of AI-based software tools and platforms for drug design and analysis, ensuring that solutions are scalable and user-friendly for cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Generate insights from large-scale chemical and biological datasets, identifying key relationships and optimizing drug candidates for efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics.
  • Contribute to the development and deployment of software tools and platforms that enable AI-based drug design and analysis.
  • Stay updated on the latest advancements in AI and computational chemistry, especially in areas like AI small molecule generation, molecular docking, and virtual screening, and apply state-of-the-art methods to improve drug discovery processes.


Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Machine Learning, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience applying computational methods and AI to small molecule drug design or a related field, with specific experience in AI small molecule generation, AI molecular docking, virtual screening, and drug manufacturing.
  • Strong background in machine learning techniques (e.g., deep learning, generative models, reinforcement learning) and their application to drug discovery.
  • Expertise in molecular modeling and drug design software (e.g., AutoDock, Schrodinger, Open Babel, or other relevant tools).
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or C++, and experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
  • Experience in analyzing large-scale datasets, including molecular databases (e.g., ChEMBL, PubChem) and performing virtual screening.
  • Proven track record in applying computational chemistry and machine learning to solve real-world drug discovery challenges.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex data to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) is a plus.

Preferred:
  • Familiarity with drug-likeness, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) properties, and structure-activity relationships (SAR).
  • Experience working with AI models in the context of generative chemistry or reinforcement learning for drug design.
  • Contributions to AI-driven drug discovery publications and conference presentations.
  • Knowledge of biological data integration, such as combining genomic, proteomic, or transcriptomic data with drug discovery.


Compensation and Benefits:

The expected base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $250,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to a candidateโ€™s qualifications, experience, and skills.
While most offers typically fall within the low to mid-point of the range, we may extend an offer toward the higher end for exceptional candidates whose background and expertise exceeds the requirements of the role.


SystImmune is a leading and well-funded biotech company with a bright future. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the companyโ€™s success. SystImmune offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision, also STD, LTD, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match of up to 3% and a vesting schedule of only 5 years, 15 PTO days per year, sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays and MORE.
We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the companyโ€™s success.
SystImmune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diverse talent and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

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