Computational Synthetic Chemist
Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. · Boston, Massachusetts
Posted 23 days ago · $115,000–$165,000
or apply directly on Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.'s site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 23 days Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.'s roles stay open a median of 45 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 75% of Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.'s roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.
- high 16 stale, 0 reposted of 20 open
- Hiring momentum
- 22 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-09-17
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.'s own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Ginkgo Bioworks Inc..
About this role
The Senior Engineer I, Computational Synthetic Chemist at Ginkgo Bioworks will design and execute multi-step syntheses of novel drug-like molecules. This role involves using computational tools for route planning and reaction prediction, while also mentoring junior chemists and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position emphasizes practical application of synthetic chemistry in an automated laboratory environment.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. as an employer.
What you need
- Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related field plus 3 years of relevant industry or postdoctoral experience; or an M.S. with 6 years, or a B.S. with 9 years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute multi-step syntheses, including routes of approximately five or more steps through characterized final compounds
- Independent route-design judgment under real constraints on materials, time, building blocks, and execution resources
- Routine hands-on use of computer-aided synthesis planning or retrosynthesis tools
- Fluency with chemical structure and reaction data, including molecular and reaction representations, compound registration, stereochemistry, salts, tautomers, and building-block catalogs
- Experience with reaction screening, HTE, design of experiments, or related optimization workflows, plus disciplined structured capture of conditions, outcomes, analytical results, and failures
Nice to have
- Python scripting with tools such as RDKit, pandas, or Jupyter
- Experience running chemistry on robotic platforms, liquid handlers, flow systems, or other automated resources
- Industrial HTE or nanoscale reaction-screening experience
- Prior work in a CRO, fee-for-service, or similarly schedule-driven environment
- Experience with ELN/LIMS configuration or reaction-data model definition
What you get
- Competitive compensation
- Generous equity in a public company
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental & vision coverage
- Health spending accounts
- Voluntary benefits
- Leave of absence policies
Worth weighing
- No mention of remote work flexibility; return to office policy requires in-office presence 5x per week for local employees
- Role is heavily focused on practical chemistry rather than software or ML research, which may limit exposure to cutting-edge computational methods
- The position requires balancing skepticism with practical progress, which may be challenging in a fast-paced environment
Summarised from Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.'s posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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