INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Medicinal Chemistry Intern

CompanyHexagon Bio
LocationMenlo Park
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 13, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Interns will perform multistep synthesis, purification, and characterization of new bioactive molecules while assisting in the structure-based and hypothesis-driven design of new drug compounds. Responsibilities also include effectively summarizing research findings and executing complex laboratory procedures safely.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$25 - $35
Company Size
65
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Hexagon Bio is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovering novel payloads for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to address critical unmet needs in oncology. Leveraging a proprietary platform, the company mines cytotoxic small molecules from microbial genomes for use as ADC payloads. Advances in DNA sequencing have enabled the identification of both existing ADC payloads—such as topoisomerase and tubulin inhibitors—and novel payload mechanisms targeting essential cancer pathways such as protein translation. Hexagon Bio is advancing a pipeline of next-generation ADC candidates with novel payloads designed to treat a wide range of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
About the Role

About Hexagon Bio:

Hexagon Bio leverages a genomics-based platform and understanding of natural product evolution to develop next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with novel payloads for cancer. We use data science, genomics, machine learning, synthetic biology, and automation to discover potent, evolutionarily refined small molecules from microbial genomes, and apply medicinal chemistry to optimize these molecules into truly transformative medicines.

Job description:

Hexagon Bio is looking for a motivated Medicinal Chemistry Intern to join our team for 3-5 months. As a chemistry intern, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out complex, multistep chemical syntheses while contributing to cutting edge antibody-drug conjugate discovery programs.  You will gain valuable exposure to medicinal chemistry strategies as well as drug discovery more broadly. This role offers a unique opportunity to grow your career through hands-on laboratory work and cross-functional interaction with various scientific disciplines, including analytical chemistry and biology.

This is an onsite, full-time, temporary (3-5 months) lab-based internship in Menlo Park, California. 

Key Responsibilities:

During this internship, you will be mentored by senior scientists while taking on the following tasks:

  • Synthesis & Characterization: Perform multistep synthesis, purification, and characterization of new bioactive molecules.
  • Design Support: Assist in the structure-based and hypothesis-driven design of new drug compounds.
  • Research Communication: Effectively summarize and communicate your research findings to the broader team.
  • Lab Safety: Execute complex laboratory procedures quickly, efficiently, and safely.

Requirements:

  • Education: progress toward or completion of Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Chemistry or related field. 
  • Experience: Proven experience working independently in an organic chemistry laboratory. Hands-on experience outside of a teaching laboratory is a must.
  • Technical Skills: Familiarity with multistep organic synthesis and standard purification/characterization techniques.
  • Availability: Ability to work full-time onsite at our Menlo Park, CA laboratories for the duration of the internship.
  • Communication: Ability to summarize and present scientific data.

What We Offer:

  • A flexible and dynamic work environment where you pave your own path, Hexagon cultivates employees' unique strengths at all levels and provides mobility across departments.
  • “All Hands Meetings” provide an opportunity to share company and team updates. These meetings are rooted in our value of transparency. They are designed to foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and open communication.
  • Access to scientific conferences throughout the year.
  • A range of amenities, courtesy of the Menlo Park Labs business park, including shuttle, gym, rock-climbing wall, pool, sauna, sports courts, cafe, bike lockers, and free EV charging stations.
  • Opportunities to engage with the Hexagon community through team-building events like our Hexagon Happy Hours and holiday parties.

Additional Information:

The salary range for this position is $25 - $35 per hour. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across California locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Hexagon Bio is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workplace. All applicants will be considered equally without regard to race, color, ethnicity, veteran status, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, membership in an organization, or any other non-merit factors

Note to External Recruiters: Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place does not create any implied obligation.

Key Skills
Multistep Chemical SynthesesAntibody-Drug Conjugate DiscoveryMedicinal ChemistryDrug DiscoveryOrganic Chemistry Laboratory WorkStructure-Based DesignHypothesis-Driven DesignPurificationCharacterizationLab SafetyData CommunicationAnalytical ChemistryBiology Interaction
Categories
Science & ResearchHealthcareEngineering
Benefits
ShuttleGymRock-climbing wallPoolSaunaSports courtsCafeBike lockersFree EV charging stations