---
title: 'Senior / Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry at Altos Labs'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-principal-scientist-medicinal-chemistry-altos-labs-san-francisco-bay-area-5np023p87181'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-29'
---

# Senior / Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry at Altos Labs

- **Company:** Altos Labs
- **Location:** San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-29
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/altoslabs/jobs/6237627004

## Job description

## Our Mission

Our mission is to restore cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that can occur throughout life.

For more information, see our website at [altoslabs.com.](https://altoslabs.com/)

Our Value

Our Single Altos Value: Everyone Owns Achieving Our Inspiring Mission.

Diversity at Altos

Altos Labs has been named one of the Top 3 Biotech Companies and ranked for the second year on the Forbes 2026 Best Startups in America list.  At Altos, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment.

## What You Will Contribute To Altos

We are seeking a talented and passionate Medicinal Chemist to join our small-molecule drug discovery team. In this role, you will advance science and develop life-changing medicines. You will impact all stages of drug discovery, from hit identification to lead optimization, within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities Include:

- Drive Drug Discovery Programs: Contribute to the chemistry efforts for one or more drug discovery programs, focusing on designing drug-like molecules and optimizing compounds towards drug development candidate selection.
- Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work closely with a diverse range of functions, including Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Structural Biology, Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Machine Learning, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Safety, and disease area Biology.
- Design and Synthesize Novel Compounds: Apply innovative structure-based, computational, and property-based design tools and methods, and/or synthesize analogs for molecular targets. This includes conducting multi-step syntheses, retrosynthetic analysis of complex molecules, and troubleshooting synthetic issues internally or with CRO partners.
- Analyze and Interpret Data: Utilize strong analytical thinking skills to organize, analyze and communicate structure-activity relationship (SAR) data sets to drive design ideas and impact program direction.
- Solve Complex Problems: Design compounds that effectively address challenges related to potency, physical properties, and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity).
- Support Chemistry Operations: Execute synthesis within internal laboratories, collaborate with Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and provide broad general chemistry support to all functions within Altos Labs.
- Communicate and Present: Deliver effective presentations and articulate scientific findings clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Potential for Leadership: Demonstrate leadership potential towards leading chemistry programs, including managing external CRO chemistry FTEs.

## Who You Are

- Education and Experience: You possess a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 6+ years of post-Ph.D. experience, or equivalent and relevant experience in chemical research, preferably within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting.
- Expertise in Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry: You have proven expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, demonstrated by a strong track record of lead author publications and/or patents and an understanding of medicinal chemistry principles.
- Drug Discovery Acumen: You have experience in the drug discovery process from hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization.
- Structure-Based Drug Design: Experienced with structure-based drug design.
- Strong Communicator: You convey strong verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver effective presentations.
- Problem-Solver: You exhibit contemporary expertise and understanding of all aspects of organic chemistry, including modern synthetic methodologies, multi-step synthetic route design, compound purification, and characterization.
- Collaborative Team Player: You are highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of the team.
- Results-Oriented: You are fearless in your pursuit of groundbreaking innovations and passionate about creating revolutionary medicines to address unmet patient needs.

The salary range for Redwood City, CA:

- Senior Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry: $174,800 - $224,100
- Senior Scientist II, Medicinal Chemistry: $215,200 - $275,900
- Principal Scientist I, Medicinal Chemistry: $246,600 - $316,100

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

## #LI-NN1

For UK applicants, before submitting your application:

- Please click here to read the Altos Labs EU and UK Applicant Privacy Notice ([bit.ly/eu_uk_privacy_notice](https://bit.ly/eu_uk_privacy_notice))
- This Privacy Notice is not a contract, express or implied and it does not set terms or conditions of employment.

## Equal Opportunity Employment

We value collaboration and scientific excellence.

We believe that a culture of belonging are foundational to scientific innovation and inquiry. At Altos Labs, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining an inclusive environment.

Altos Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Altos prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Thank you for your interest in Altos Labs where we strive for a culture of scientific excellence, learning, and belonging.

Note: Altos Labs will not ask you to download a messaging app for an interview or outlay your own money to get started as an employee. If this sounds like your interaction with people claiming to be with Altos, it is not legitimate and has nothing to do with Altos. Learn more about a common job scam at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-spot-avoid-online-job-scams-biron-clark/

## About Altos Labs

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Altos Labs is a biotechnology company pioneering cellular rejuvenation programming to reverse disease, injury, and disabilities by restoring cell health and resilience.
- **Entity Type**: Private (believed to be well-funded by high-profile investors including Jeff Bezos and Yuri Milner; no public funding rounds listed)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA (also major sites in San Diego, CA and Cambridge, UK)
- **Founded**: 2021 (publicly launched in January 2022)
- **Founders**: Hal Barron (CEO), Hans Bishop (President), Rick Klausner (Chief Scientific Advisor)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Longevity & Cell Rejuvenation / Drug Discovery
- **Target customers**: B2B/Institutional (partners, academic collaborators); ultimate end-users are patients with age-related diseases
- **Mission statement**: “To restore cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury and the disabilities that can occur throughout life.”

## Products & Services
Currently in the research and preclinical/early clinical stage. No marketed products yet. Major initiatives include:

- **[Cell Rejuvenation Programming Platform]**: Proprietary technology based on partial cellular reprogramming (building on Yamanaka factors and Belmonte lab discoveries) to reset epigenetic age and restore cell function.
- **[Institute of Computation]**: Developing multi-scale generative AI models to decode the “language of cell health” and accelerate discovery of rejuvenation-based therapies.
- **[Institute of Medicine]**: Translational arm focused on converting fundamental biology into potential breakthrough medicines for age-related diseases.
- **[Discovery Engine]**: Integrated platform combining experimental biology, high-quality internal data generation, and computational modeling to identify novel targets and therapies.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed; widely reported to have raised over **$3 billion** in initial financing (one of the largest biotech startup financings ever). Investors include Jeff Bezos, Yuri Milner, and others.
- **Key Metric**: **$3+ billion total funding** (reported launch round)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Jeff Bezos (via Bezos Expeditions), Yuri Milner (via DST Global), and other undisclosed high-net-worth individuals; partnerships with leading academic institutions including the Salk Institute and Cambridge University.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapidly scaling headcount (26 open roles listed on Greenhouse as of mid-2026); expansion of computational and AI teams; launched Institute of Computation; appointed Joan Mannick (M.D.) as Chief Medical Officer in 2025 to lead early clinical development.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Massive capital base**: Over $3 billion in funding provides long runway for high-risk, long-horizon science.
- **World-class scientific leadership**: CEO Hal Barron (ex-GSK, ex-Roche), President Hans Bishop (ex-Juno Therapeutics), Chief Scientific Advisor Rick Klausner, and founding scientist Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte (pioneer of partial reprogramming).
- **“Academic freedom meets industry focus” model**: Combines the freedom of academic inquiry with the discipline and resources of a biotech company.
- **AI-first approach**: Dedicated Institute of Computation with a focus on generative AI and foundational models for biology, differentiating from traditional drug discovery.
- **Multi-site global footprint**: Operations spanning US (Bay Area, San Diego) and UK (Cambridge) attract top talent from both sides of the Atlantic.

## Strategic Focus
- **Near-term**: Advancing first therapeutic programs into clinical trials; building out the Institute of Computation and AI models; scaling drug discovery and development capabilities.
- **Long-term**: Transform medicine by developing therapies that address the root cause of disease—cellular aging—rather than just symptoms.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Focus on a single, ambitious goal—reversing disease through cell rejuvenation—unites the organization.
- **Unique work model**: Blends academic freedom (pursue deep questions, publish, collaborate openly) with industry urgency (focus on medicines, milestones, patient impact).
- **Computational focus**: Heavy investment in AI/ML (machine learning scientists, AI engineers, computational biology) makes it appealing for those interested in the intersection of tech and biology.
- **Work environment**: Collaborative, interdisciplinary, and global; values diverse perspectives. Described as “a unique and inspiring place to work” with “many ways to contribute to our mission.”
- **Currently hiring across multiple disciplines**: Discovery Science, Drug Development, Computation, Technology, and Operations—with roles in San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Cambridge, UK.
- **Perks/culture highlights**: Not explicitly detailed on careers page, but the emphasis on “freedom to collaborate broadly” and “big questions” suggests a high-autonomy, high-trust environment.

### Company Website & Careers
1. [altoslabs.com](https://www.altoslabs.com/) – Official company site (overview, science, about, careers)
2. [altoslabs.com/careers](https://www.altoslabs.com/careers) – Careers page (mission, culture, job listings)
3. [altoslabs.com/about](https://www.altoslabs.com/about) – About page (leadership, institutes, model)
4. [altoslabs.com/science](https://www.altoslabs.com/science) – Science page (founding science, partial reprogramming)

### Job Board
5. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/altoslabs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/altoslabs) – Greenhouse job board (26 open positions as of mid-2026)

## Other roles at Altos Labs

- [Research Associate I / II, Multiomics (12 month contract](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-i-ii-multiomics-12-month-contract-altos-labs-cambridge-thjk2p16d7zk) — Cambridge, MA
- [Scientific Lab Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/scientific-lab-manager-altos-labs-san-francisco-bay-area-kvtcbp6zfy9f) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- [Manager / Senior Manager Genomics Hub](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-senior-manager-genomics-hub-altos-labs-cambridge-2c83teqhdrg9) — Cambridge, MA
- [Senior Knowledge Engineer, Ontology and Data Standards (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-knowledge-engineer-ontology-and-data-standards-contract-altos-labs-san-0gj7kggw8sq9) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- [Senior Patent Counsel / Director, Intellectual Property](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-patent-counsel-director-intellectual-property-altos-labs-san-diego-rqa72w59efpg) — San Diego, CA
- [Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Intellectual Property](https://feeny.ai/job/deputy-general-counsel-and-vice-president-intellectual-property-altos-labs-san-rfncypwagg9c) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- [Director / Senior Director, Lab-in-the-Loop](https://feeny.ai/job/director-senior-director-lab-in-the-loop-altos-labs-san-francisco-bay-area-x0r6dn63de1j) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA / San Diego, CA
- [Senior Manager/Manager, CRO and KOL Alliances (Contract to Hire)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-manager-cro-and-kol-alliances-contract-to-hire-altos-labs-san-vw71whqxekvc) — San Diego, CA
- [Scientist / Senior Scientist, Membrane Biochemistry](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-senior-scientist-membrane-biochemistry-altos-labs-san-francisco-bay-2as6grjx00j9) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- [Scientist, Neurodegeneration](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-neurodegeneration-altos-labs-san-francisco-bay-area-ptan9vfe9dfh) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA