Scientist II, Discovery Chemistry and Automation (Parallel Synthesis)

Valo Health is a human-centric, AI-enabled biotechnology company working to make new drugs for patients faster. The company’s Opal Computational Platform transforms drug discovery and development through a unique combination of real-world data, AI, human translational models and predictive chemistry. 

Our talented team of biologists, chemists and engineers, armed with advanced AI/ML tools, work together to break down traditional R&D silos and accelerate the speed and scale of drug discovery and development. 

Valo is committed to hiring diverse talent, prioritizing growth and development, fostering an inclusive environment, and creating opportunities to bring together a group of different experiences, backgrounds, and voices to work together. We embrace new ways of learning, solve complex problems and welcome diverse perspectives that can help us advance patient-centric innovation. 

Valo is headquartered in Lexington, MA, with additional offices in New York, NY and Tel Aviv, Israel.  To learn more, visit www.valohealth.com.  

We are seeking a highly motivated synthetic chemist to join our drug discovery team, with a focus on design, synthesis, and optimization of compound libraries. This role will play a critical part in advancing programs from hit identification through lead optimization by enabling rapid and efficient exploration of chemical space.

You will work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment to design and execute singleton and library syntheses integrated into our closed-loop design (CLD) strategies, leveraging modern synthetic methodologies, automation, and computational tools to accelerate discovery.

Your primary areas of responsibility will be:  

• →Design, prioritize, and execute focused and diverse compound libraries to address SAR hypotheses and project needs
• →Develop and implement parallel synthesis strategies to enable rapid library generation and iteration
• →Design and optimize synthetic routes that allow efficient diversification and scalability
• →Collaborate closely with Medicinal Chemistry, In vitro Pharmacology, Biology, DMPK, ML/AI, and Chemistry Data Science teams to guide compound design
• →Apply structure–activity relationship (SAR) insights to drive compound optimization
• →Utilize modern approaches such as high-throughput experimentation (HTE)
• →Perform compound synthesis, purification, and characterization (e.g., NMR, LC-MS) of intermediates for library synthesis on 1-5g scale
• →Document experimental work and communicate results through presentations and reports

• Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related field (or M.S. with 4–6+ years, B.S. with 6–8+ years relevant experience)
• Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry within a drug discovery setting
• Demonstrated experience in compound library design and synthesis
• Proven ability to solve complex synthetic challenges
• Hands-on experience with standard analytical techniques (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC)

• Experience with parallel synthesis, library enumeration, reaction screening, or automated chemistry platforms
• Understanding of ADME/PK and physicochemical property optimization
• Experience collaborating with or managing CRO partners
• Track record of scientific impact (publications, patents, or project contributions)
• Experience or familiarity with AI/ML-driven molecular design, cheminformatics tools, or data-driven library design approaches is a plus

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Valo Health currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Valo Health's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.