How to apply for Executive Director, Chemical Biology/Drug Design

About Recursion

Recursion uses an AI/ML-driven Design Platform and multiomic discovery to identify novel targets and chemical matter. The company is expanding beyond traditional small molecules into new modalities such as targeted protein degradation and molecular glues. This role sits at the intersection of chemical biology, computational design, and target discovery.

About the role

You will set chemical biology strategy, lead a team of designers, and build chemical probe libraries that connect multiomic discovery to target ID. You will also drive programs into new modalities and shape how generative design tools are used in chemical biology decisions. The role is remote in the US and full-time.

A typical day

A typical day may involve reviewing multiomic data with computational biologists to prioritize targets, meeting with your design team on chemical probe progress, and aligning with CROs on synthesis or assay work. You might also spend time shaping how generative design outputs are used in chemical biology decisions. Exact routines depend on the team, so ask about meeting cadence and decision-making processes in interviews.

Who Recursion is looking for

• Has hands-on chemical biology experience plus a track record of leading multidisciplinary drug design teams.
• Has worked on modalities beyond traditional small molecules, such as targeted protein degradation or molecular glues.
• Can manage internal teams and external CROs, and prioritize programs across a portfolio.
• Has experience integrating computational and generative design approaches into chemical biology workflows.

Tips for this application

• In your resume, list specific programs where you designed chemical probes or led target ID efforts, including modality and outcome.
• Name any experience you have with targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, or other emerging modalities, since the job description calls these out explicitly.
• Describe how you have used AI/ML or generative design tools in chemical biology decisions, because Recursion's platform is central to this role.
• Show evidence of building new capabilities or teams, not just running existing ones, since the role asks you to establish new modalities.
• Mention experience managing CROs and internal designers together, because the role includes both.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain how you would connect multiomic target discovery to chemical probe design. Describe a specific program where you advanced a new modality from concept to chemical matter. State how you have integrated computational or generative design into chemical biology work. Give an example of building a new capability or team from scratch.

Research before applying

• Read Recursion's public materials on its AI/ML-driven Design Platform and how it uses multiomics, high content imaging, and RNA data.
• Look up Recursion's pipeline and any public statements about expanding into targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, or other new modalities.
• Find published work or patents from Recursion related to chemical biology, chemical probes, or target ID.
• Check recent news or presentations about Recursion's partnerships, platform updates, or leadership in chemical biology.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you set chemical biology strategy that bridges multiomic discovery to target ID?
• Describe a time you designed a chemical probe library to facilitate target discovery.
• How have you used AI/ML or generative design in your chemical biology decision-making?
• What is your approach to managing internal designers and external CROs on the same program?
• How would you prioritize between traditional small molecules and new modalities like targeted protein degradation or molecular glues?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without any mention of new modalities beyond small molecules, since the role explicitly requires experience or clear interest in targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, or similar.
• Focusing only on traditional medicinal chemistry without showing how you connect multiomic data to target ID and probe design.
• Ignoring the AI/ML and generative design aspect of the role, which is a core tool for the team.