---
title: 'Senior Vice President, Chemistry at Rezo Therapeutics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-vice-president-chemistry-rezo-therapeutics-san-francisco-7gykg26m7qtw'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Senior Vice President, Chemistry at Rezo Therapeutics

- **Company:** Rezo Therapeutics
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/rezotx/49fa0d4d-987a-41e1-8001-8a521603193e

## Job description

## About Rezo Therapeutics

Rezo is a different kind of biopharma company. Our mission is to dramatically increase the success rate of drug development by building a disease-agnostic, fully-integrated, network biology platform that will redefine our understanding of human disease and ability to treat it.

We are leveraging a unique integrated approach, combining capabilities in genetics, proteomics, structural biology and AI to generate deep biological insights and novel therapeutic approaches.

Located in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission Bay neighborhood, Rezo is in close proximity to UCSF, numerous urban amenities, and outdoor recreational opportunities. We recognize that realizing our mission depends as much on our people as it does on our science and are building a workplace that fosters collaboration, respect, and diversity where contributing to your team’s success is valued as highly as individual achievements.  If you’re passionate about team science and breaking down barriers to progress in drug development, please consider joining us!

The Opportunity

Rezo Therapeutics is advancing a new approach to small-molecule drug discovery focused on targeting disease-relevant protein complexes. We are seeking an accomplished Senior Vice President of Chemistry & CMC to lead medicinal chemistry and the transition of innovative programs from advanced lead optimization through development candidate nomination, IND-enabling development, and clinical readiness. This executive will combine scientific judgment with practical execution.

What You'll Do:

- Own chemistry strategy and execution across the small-molecule portfolio, with particular focus on late-stage lead optimization, candidate quality, developability, and clear nomination criteria
- Lead integrated compound optimization using structural and mechanistic insights, pharmacology, DMPK, safety, physicochemical properties, synthetic tractability, and translational objectives; anticipate and resolve program risks
- Drive rigorous development candidate selection, including definition of backup strategies and assessment of route scalability, formulation feasibility, and intellectual property
- Lead the CMC strategy for nominated candidates through IND-enabling studies and first-in-human readiness, spanning drug substance, drug product, analytical development, and phase-appropriate control strategies
- Provide accountable oversight of CROs and CDMOs: partner selection, scopes of work, technical decisions, budgets, quality, risk mitigation, technology transfer, and milestone delivery
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing internal chemistry organization while leveraging external capabilities; establish a culture of scientific rigor, transparent decision-making, urgency, and accountability
- Collaborate closely with biology, structural biology, computational sciences, pharmacology, and leadership to integrate emerging data and make disciplined portfolio decisions
- Lead the expansion of our chemistry platform for the identification and optimization of protein complex modulators
- Lead intellectual property strategy with patent counsel; communicate program progress effectively to executive leadership, investors, and the Board

What You'll Bring:

- PhD in chemistry, or a closely related discipline, with approximately 15–20+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience and significant progressive leadership responsibility
- A compelling track record of late-stage small-molecule lead optimization and successful development candidate nomination for oncology indication, with direct accountability for advancing at least assets through IND-enabling studies
- Strong medicinal chemistry expertise, including optimizing oral exposure of beyond-Rule-of-5 molecules
- Substantive hands-on leadership of small-molecule CMC activities
- Clear, persuasive communication and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a resource-conscious, fast-moving biotech environment

Leadership Profile The successful candidate is a decisive, scientifically rigorous leader who enjoys both defining strategy and getting into the details that determine whether a promising molecule can become a medicine. They will be collaborative, pragmatic, comfortable challenging assumptions, and effective at developing a talented group of people.

## Compensation at Rezo

The expected starting salary range for this position based in San Francisco, California for Senior Vice President level is $270,000-$370,000. Actual starting salary will be determined based on multiple job-related factors including candidate’s skills, education, and experience, the level at which they are hired, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Discretionary Bonus Plan (based on individual and company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies. This position is also eligible for the benefits detailed below.

## Benefits at Rezo

Medical (HMO or PPO), dental, and vision insurance Discretionary time off policy Company holidays (including summer and winter shutdown) 401(k) retirement savings program Commuter / Mass Transit Benefit Program Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Parental leave Competitive compensation Flexible work schedule

## EEOC

At Rezo we value a diverse, equitable, inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  This statement covers all facets of employment and is especially important when it comes to growing our team.

If you are wondering if you’ll belong at Rezo, or are worried that you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications for this role, take a chance on us and yourself — please apply!

SF Fair Chance Ordinance Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Rezo considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

## About Rezo Therapeutics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Rezo Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging an integrated network biology platform to map molecular disease networks and discover precision therapeutics, initially focused on oncology.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A, $78M total funding)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States (455 Mission Bay Blvd South, San Francisco, CA 94158)
- **Founded**: 2021 (first funding round date)
- **Founders**: Nevan Krogan, Ph.D. (UCSF/QBI), Kevan Shokat, Ph.D. (UCSF), Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D. (UCSF), Natalia Jura, Ph.D. (UCSF) – along with board members George Scangos and Norbert Bischofberger.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology Research / Biopharmaceuticals (drug discovery and development)
- **Target customers**: B2B/Enterprise (pharma partnerships) and ultimately patients (therapeutics)
- **Mission**: “To dramatically increase the success rate of drug development by building a disease-agnostic, fully-integrated, network biology platform that will redefine our understanding of human disease and ability to treat it.” [rezotx.com](https://rezotx.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Network Biology Platform**: A proprietary, integrated platform combining proteomics, genetics, structural biology, chemistry, and bioinformatics to create comprehensive maps of molecular disease networks. This platform is used to identify novel, druggable targets for precision therapeutics. [rezotx.com](https://rezotx.com/)
- **Therapeutic Pipeline**: Preclinical programs in oncology (no specific drug candidates publicly disclosed). The company is disease-agnostic but currently focused on oncology.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – $78M (Series A, closed November 2022)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Norwest Venture Partners, SR One (lead investors in Series A), plus 7 other undisclosed investors. [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount growth of +4.8% YoY (26 employees as of mid-2025) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
  - Appointed Derek Hicks as CEO in August 2025 (former Chief Business Officer at Intellia Therapeutics) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
  - Appointed Cristiana Guiducci, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer in July 2024 (former SVP at Nurix Therapeutics) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
  - Named to BioSpace’s “Most Promising New Biopharma Companies to Watch in 2024” [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
  - Active job postings increased 50% month-over-month (3 open roles) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Network biology approach**: Integrates proteomics, genetics, and AI to map disease networks holistically, potentially identifying targets missed by traditional methods.
- **World-class academic founders**: Co-founders are leading scientists from UCSF (Krogan, Shokat, Bandyopadhyay, Jura) with deep expertise in molecular biology and drug discovery.
- **Experienced leadership**: CEO Derek Hicks has extensive biotech business development experience (Intellia, Spark, Pfizer); CSO Cristiana Guiducci brings 19+ years in oncology and immunology drug discovery.
- **Strong investor backing**: $78M from top-tier healthcare investors (Norwest, SR One).

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Advancing the network biology platform and building a pipeline of precision therapeutics in oncology. The company is actively hiring for senior scientific roles (medicinal chemistry, in vivo pharmacology, bioinformatics data science) to accelerate R&D. [rezotx.com/careers](https://rezotx.com/careers/)
- **Growth direction**: Scaling the platform to additional disease areas, expanding the team, and progressing toward clinical development.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge drug discovery that could significantly improve success rates in developing new therapies.
- **Research-focused culture**: Emphasis on deep science, collaboration, and innovation. The team includes experts from UCSF, Google, Merck, and other top institutions. [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
- **Work environment**: Full-time onsite in South San Francisco (Mission Bay). Roles are primarily scientific (medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, bioinformatics). [rezotx.com/careers](https://rezotx.com/careers/)
- **Growth trajectory**: Young company with strong funding and recent executive hires, offering potential for career advancement as the organization scales.
- **Notable perks**: Not explicitly disclosed, but typical for early-stage biotech: equity, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to be part of a high-impact team.

## Sources
1. [Rezo Therapeutics Website](https://rezotx.com/)
2. [Rezo Careers Page (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/rezotx)
3. [Rezo LinkedIn Company Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/rezotx)
4. [Rezo Team Page](https://rezotx.com/team/)

## Other roles at Rezo Therapeutics

- [Vice President, Finance & Administration](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-finance-administration-rezo-therapeutics-san-francisco-n4d5frhcmqv3) — San Francisco, CA
- [Contracts Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/contracts-associate-rezo-therapeutics-san-francisco-7537xn3tkshk) — San Francisco, CA
- [Director, Program Management](https://feeny.ai/job/director-program-management-rezo-therapeutics-san-francisco-c98qbx1xwr77) — San Francisco, CA
- [Open Application for Scientists and Research Associates](https://feeny.ai/job/open-application-for-scientists-and-research-associates-rezo-therapeutics-san-jw3sp1cg1txb) — San Francisco, CA