VP- Generative Chemistry

About Raven:
We are Raven, RA Capital’s healthcare incubator. From discovery to delivery, whether we incubate, accelerate or rejuvenate, Raven’s goal is to turn scientific breakthroughs into transformative therapies and get them quickly, safely and efficiently to the patients that need them most. Raven’s experienced scientists, operators, and healthcare innovators have deep sector expertise across therapeutics, diagnostics, devices and services. They have brought hundreds of therapeutics into development, managed hospital systems, optimized clinical trials and navigated payor and regulatory systems to deliver patient impact - and they are ready to work with you.

About RA Capital:
Founded in 2004, RA Capital Management is a multi-stage investment manager dedicated to evidence-based investing in public and private healthcare, life sciences, and planetary health companies. RA Capital creates and funds innovative companies, from private seed rounds to public follow-on financings, allowing management teams to drive value creation from inception through commercialization and beyond. RA Capital's knowledge engine is guided by our Tech Atlas internal research division, and Raven, RA Capital’s company building team, offers entrepreneurs and innovators a collaborative and comprehensive platform to explore the novel and the re-imagined. RA Capital has more than 150 employees and over $10 billion in assets under management.

The Role
We are seeking a Vice President of Generative Chemistry to lead and scale our strategy at the interface of machine learning, computational chemistry, and small molecule design. This is a foundational role—one that combines platform vision, portfolio impact, and venture creation. As VP, you’ll be the scientific and strategic lead for building Raven’s internal AI/ML- enabled small molecule design platform. You’ll also work across the full Raven lifecycle—from supporting early-stage NewCos and PortCos, to leading diligence on emerging AI-native biotech startups, to driving new company creation.

What You’ll Do
Portfolio Partnering
- Serve as an expert advisor to our small molecule portfolio companies on AI/ML- enabled generative chemistry.
- Provide strategic and technical guidance on AI/ML, generative chemistry, and computational design approaches.
- Support executive teams in vendor selection, platform architecture, and talent evaluation.
Diligence
- Strengthen our capability to diligence novel computational smol drug discovery NewCo's. Assess platform depth, model novelty, data strategy, and biological integration. Collaborate with investment partners when needed.
NewCo Strategy & Build
- Lead the design and build of AI/ML-native NewCos focused on small molecule therapeutics.
- Work closely with founding scientists and external collaborators to shape platform and pipeline strategy. Represent the scientific and operational voice of the NewCo during its incubation.
Platform Development
- Architect and drive the buildout of an internal generative chemistry and AI/ML infrastructure that leverages best-in-class tools from across our portfolio and the field.
- Evaluate emerging technologies in data-driven molecule generation, physics- informed modeling, and AI/ML-first chemistry platforms.
- Help position Raven as a leader in AI/ML-native drug discovery infrastructure.

What You Bring
- PhD in computational chemistry, cheminformatics, structural biology, or a related field. 10+ years of experience in small molecule drug discovery, with deep expertise in AI/ML applications. Ideally, having helped bring at least one drug program to the clinic.
- Experience building or leading computational chemistry or AI/ML teams in biotech, pharma, or AI-native startups.
- Strong grasp of generative models, ligand-based and structure-based design, and molecular property prediction.
- Strategic thinking with experience in cross-functional collaboration (e.g., working with biology, DMPK, and clinical teams).
- Comfort operating across both scientific deep dives and high-level venture strategy.
- A passion for building and enabling new companies.

What We Will Offer You:

• Empowerment.  At Raven, we empower you to make a real impact. From discovery to delivery, whether we incubate, accelerate or rejuvenate, Raven’s goal is to turn scientific and technological breakthroughs into transformative therapies and services and get them quickly, safely and efficiently to the patients that need them most. We've built Raven portfolio companies, platforms, and capabilities to overcome the barriers and bottlenecks that slow healthcare innovation, and you'll be a key part of accelerating the path-to-patient wit