Scientist / Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

About the Opportunity

At Capable Labs in San Francisco, we foster a dynamic and mission-focused environment, bringing together team members with backgrounds from MIT, Harvard Medical School, Roche, and other leading institutions. We thrive on rigor, rapid progress, and a collaborative sense of excitement and ownership. Our early-stage startup values clarity in tackling complex problems and taking personal responsibility for advancing projects. Here, impact is recognized with meaningful rewards, equity, and trust—leadership is accessible to those who demonstrate consistent excellence, not just those with senior titles.

Core Responsibilities

• Act as a central figure in guiding and executing medicinal chemistry initiatives spanning small molecules, peptides, and related areas—from initial target selection to synthesis, purification, analysis, and delivery to biological testing teams.
• Design and implement synthetic routes using both solid-phase and solution-phase methodologies, leveraging techniques such as coupling chemistry, functional group manipulation, protection/deprotection strategies, and late-stage modifications.
• Utilize and help maintain advanced laboratory instrumentation, including HPLC, preparative HPLC, LC-MS, and microwave-assisted synthesis systems, as well as other necessary analytical and purification platforms.
• Resolve synthetic and analytical challenges encompassing difficulties like reaction failures, suboptimal conversions, selectivity issues, solubility limitations, impure products, or equipment malfunctions.
• Analyze structure-activity relationship (SAR) data alongside biological results (potency, efficacy, stability, tolerability, exposure) to inform subsequent compound-design decisions.

Candidate Profile

• At least five years of hands-on experience in medicinal or synthetic organic chemistry roles within the pharmaceutical or biotech sectors; peptide chemistry experience is a plus but not mandatory.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental planning, problem-solving, and a commitment to high standards of execution throughout the chemistry workflow—from design to biological sample preparation.
• Strong capability for independent and end-to-end project ownership, integrating feedback from biological data to refine chemical design iterations.
• Proactive communicator known for diagnosing issues efficiently and ensuring smooth coordination during unexpected lab or handoff challenges.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary ranging from $145,000 to $220,000, with the potential for total equity package between $50,000 and $200,000 (current implied value; equity details subject to standard conditions).
• Additional pay considerations may be weighed depending on tangible impact and experience—applicants outside this listed range are still encouraged to apply.
• A monthly wellness stipend exceeding $500 for personal health, training, coaching, or related areas.
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage including medical, dental, and vision—100% of base plan premiums covered by the company.
• Access to HSA, FSA, and 401K retirement plans.
• Daily team dinners provided on site.
• Support for appropriate work visa sponsorships, including O-1, H-1B, J-1, TN, and similar pathways; international applicants welcome.

Hiring Process

• Submit an application—no need for active job searching to initiate a conversation.
• Participate in two phone interviews followed by an in-person work trial at the San Francisco location to get a real sense of day-to-day collaboration.
• Referrals are encouraged—successful recommendations may receive a thank-you bonus if hired.