Senior Scientist, Bivalent Modalities

Orion Corporation; Espoo; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Relocation support

Job summary

Orion Corporation in Espoo, Finland, seeks an experienced Senior Scientist to drive medicinal chemistry strategies for bivalent induced proximity modalities such as PROTACs and RIPTACs. The role combines hands-on synthesis with design optimization across a diverse portfolio, advancing next generation modalities.

The position emphasizes building organizational capability in bivalent proximity approaches, with a focus on enabling long-term excellence.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related field
• Strong background in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and lead optimization
• Experience with bivalent molecules, PROTACs, or related modalities

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel bivalent induced proximity modalities (PROTACs, RIPTACs) including target binder development and linker optimization
• Build and expand diverse bRo5 chemical libraries aligned with project needs
• Perform multi-step organic synthesis, purification and characterization of new compounds
• Advance multi-parameter optimization addressing ADMET and developability challenges using computational tools

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.

This is a permanent, on‑site position based in Espoo, Finland. The role is primarily carried out during regular daytime working hours, Monday through Friday, with flexible working arrangements available.

Key responsibilities

• Designing and synthetizing 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.

Contribute 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. Our 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.

• 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 modelling 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.

Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.

Your new team

Orion’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. 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 programs. You will be part of Medicinal Chemistry function with other synthetic medicinal chemists and research associates.

About Us

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well‑being for over a hundred years.

We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

• Locations Orionintie 1 A, Espoo, 02200, FI (On‑site)