Senior Scientist

Orion Pharma; Espoo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and welfare benefits

Relocation support

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Orion Pharma is seeking a Senior Scientist for the Medicine Design group in Espoo, Finland, focusing on bivalent molecules such as PROTACs and RIPTACs. The role emphasizes designing and optimizing linker architectures, building bRo5 libraries, and advancing multi-parameter optimization to enable long-term excellence in this area.

The candidate will lead multi-disciplinary efforts, utilize computational and ML tools, and contribute to IP strategy while collaborating with internal experts to

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related field with industry experience.
• Strong background in organic synthesis chemistry, medicinal chemistry and lead optimization.
• Experience with synthesis planning, synthetic methods and analytical tools (NMR, HPLC-MS).
• Demonstrated experience in bivalent molecules, PROTACs, or related modalities.
• Knowledge of DMPK/ADME principles and SAR integration into medicinal chemistry decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel bivalent proximity modalities (PROTACs, RIPTACs).
• Build and expand diverse bRo5 chemical libraries aligned with project needs.
• Perform multi-step organic synthesis and characterize novel compounds.
• Advance multi-parameter optimization addressing ADMET and developability challenges.
• Contribute to IP strategy in collaboration with internal IP specialists.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Medicinal chemistry

Lead optimization

Synthesis planning

SAR generation

Computational chemistry

Machine-learning-based design

Teamwork

English communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

NMR

HPLC-MS

Chromatography tools

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our Medicine Design organization, with a focus on bivalent molecules (e.g. PROTACs, RIPTACs and molecular glues). This role is ideal for a scientist who thrives in a hands-on environment and has a strong interest in tackling the unique challenges associated with designing and optimizing complex, multi-functional molecules.

Your role

You will contribute to build medicinal chemistry strategies across a diverse portfolio, with a particular emphasis on next generation modalities, including PROTACs, RIPTACs, and other emerging bifunctional proximity induced approaches. Expertise in the synthesis, design and optimization of linkers and related chemical architectures will be central to success in this role. Importantly, this position will play a pivotal role in building and strengthening our organizational capability in bivalent induced proximity modalities, helping to establish the scientific, technical, and strategic foundations needed for long-term excellence in this area.

Job details

Permanent, on-site position based in Espoo, Finland. Regular daytime working hours Monday through Friday, with flexible working arrangements available.

Application deadline: August 23, 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Designing and synthesizing novel bivalent induced proximity modalities, such as PROTACs, and RIPTACs, encompassing target binder development, ligand optimization, linker engineering, and advancement of beyond-Rule-of-5 (bRo5) compounds
• Building and continuously expanding diverse, strategically focused bRo5 chemical libraries aligned with project-specific needs
• Executing multi-step organic synthesis, isolating / purifying and characterizing novel compounds
• Advancing multi-parameter optimization of bRo5 and bivalent lead compounds by addressing ADMET and developability challenges, including permeability and stability, leveraging computational, machine learning, and informatics tools where appropriate
• Contributing to intellectual property strategy in partnership with internal IP specialists to strengthen the competitive position of project portfolios

What you can expect from us

• A dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment with a proven track record of inventing high quality, best in class small molecule therapeutics - where you can follow a molecule's journey from concept through to production
• Opportunities to shape and advance Orion's capabilities in proximity inducing drug modalities
• A supportive team culture that values scientific excellence, learning, collaboration, and innovation
• Work with meaningful purpose - improving the quality of life for patients and delivering impact to society
• Competitive salary, generous health and welfare benefits, and support for international relocation
• At Orion Pharma, your work creates true impact and well-being for our customers, patients and society at large
• Their culture of friendliness, respect, mutual appreciation and diversity creates a safe working environment where you can strive for excellence
• We offer a wealth of career paths and development opportunities that support the development of innovative solutions and improving the quality of life
• Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion Pharma as an employer https://www.orionpharma.com/careers/working-with-us/

What we are looking for

• PhD in Chemistry or related field with relevant industry experience
• Strong background in organic synthesis chemistry, medicinal chemistry and lead optimization
• Extensive knowledge and experience in synthesis planning, synthetic methods and use of modern chromatographic and analytical tools (NMR, HPLC-MS)
• Demonstrated experience in bivalent molecules, PROTACs, or related modalities
• Knowledge of DMPK/ADME principles of both, small and bRo5 molecules, and the ability to effectively integrate these concepts into medicinal chemistry decision making
• Proven track record in library design/building and SAR generation
• Experience with or strong interest in direct-to-biology approaches
• Strong hands-on contribution in compound design and synthesis
• Experience with computational chemistry (e.g ternary complex modeling and chameleonicity understanding), structural biology, and machine-learning-based design tools
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments alongside experts from various scientific fields
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal
• Acting as a team player, demonstrated flexibility and commitment to achieving project and company goals

Additional Requirements

• Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment
• Security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person

Company overview

We employ around 400 top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Cambridge and Nottingham in England and in Cambridge, MA, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to making a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas. Medicine Design is responsible for translating new drug targets to the biomolecule therapeutics together with other line functions. Our scientist in biology and chemistry are key players of the DMTA cycle of multiple research programmes. You will be part of Medicinal Chemistry function with other synthetic medicinal chemists and research associates. Your new team Orion's pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization.