Summer Research Intern - Medicinal Chemistry (Graduate Student level)
Septerna
Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company’s Native Complex Platform™ recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.
We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.
We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.
For more information see: www.septerna.com.
About The Role
Our intern program provides opportunities for hands-on research experience, coaching and mentoring, and networking. The intern will synthesize, purify, and characterize novel small molecules in the context of a medicinal chemistry program. The internship start date is May or June 2026 and will take place over 12 weeks on-site in South San Francisco.
Opportunity
- Plan, execute, and optimize routes to synthesize and characterize novel bioactive small molecules.
- Take ownership of challenging and impactful projects.
- Work alongside exceptional scientists in the field of GPCR drug discovery.
- Participate in weekly project team meetings.
- Provide a final presentation of project work to senior leaders.
Qualifications
- Pursuing a Bachelors/Master/PhD (enrolled student) in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, or related field.
- Prior hands-on research lab experience in organic synthesis is highly desired, and could include, but is not limited to the following:
- Experience with laboratory techniques commonly used in medicinal chemistry, such as synthesis, purification, and characterization of organic compounds
- Synthetic route design and troubleshooting
- New reaction methodology development
- Familiarity with analytical techniques for compound characterization (NMR, LCMS, HPLC)
- Familiarity with use of ChemDraw and tools like SciFinder or Reaxys for searching electronic journal databases
- Ability to keep and maintain records and experiments within an electronic lab notebook
- Ability to interpret and analyze experimental data, troubleshoot experiments, and propose solutions to research challenges.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Ability to read and digest scientific literature
- Strong organizational, problem solving, analytical and quantitative skills
- Ability to efficiently manage short timelines
- Authorized to work in the U.S. i.e. (applicants who require employer sponsored visas now or in the future are not eligible to apply)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Ability to complete 12 consecutive weeks between May and September on-site in South San Francisco.
- Enrolled currently in graduate degree at an accredited college/university and returning to the University/and or College following the internship
- Strict adherence to lab safety rules and regulations
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to interpret and analyze experimental data, troubleshoot experiments, and propose solutions to research challenges.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Ability to read and digest scientific literature
- Strong organizational, problem solving, analytical and quantitative skills
Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $25.00-$40.00 per hour depending of undergraduate/graduate level and year. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position also qualifies for paid holiday time off benefits.