Associate Principal Scientist/Principal Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry

Sygnature Discovery; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Sygnature Group Pension Scheme

1 paid volunteer day per year

Job summary

Sygnature Discovery in Alderley Park is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist to lead medicinal chemistry programmes and shape project strategy. You will mentor and coach scientists, coordinating across Bioscience and DMPK to deliver integrated drug discovery projects for diverse clients.

The role requires a PhD and a proven track record in leading multi-disciplinary teams within pharma/biotech or CRO settings, with strong communication and client-facing skills.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industrial experience in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary drug discovery projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management across teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead and influence complex medicinal chemistry programmes across pre-clinical stages.
• Develop high-performing project teams to deliver excellent science and outcomes.
• Communicate strategy and results while managing internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to operational strategy, growth, recruitment, and capability development.
• Mentor, coach, train, and performance-manage scientists across career stages.
• Maintain rigorous lab practice, data integrity, safety, and compliance.
• Represent the company externally through client engagement, presentations, and publications.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Adaptable / flexible

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Job description

About Sygnature Discovery

At Sygnature Discovery, we create exceptional scientific outcomes. For our customers, who bring life-changing medicines to patients; and for our people, who help make this possible. We’re 700+ scientists from over 50 countries, working as one across Europe and North America. With no competing internal programs, we offer total confidentiality and commitment. Over the past 20 years, we’ve earned a track record of real impact: 60+ advanced candidates, 250 patents filed, 200+ active projects. Over 90% of our customers choose to stay with us – from biotechs racing to clinic to pharma companies that need specialised expertise for targeted challenges.

About the role:

Our Chemistry team at Alderley Park is looking for an experienced Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist to join the team. We’re looking for someone with significant experience leading medicinal chemistry programmes within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology or CRO environment. This is a senior and influential role where you’ll help shape project strategy, develop high-performing scientists through effective mentoring and coaching, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the site. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Bioscience and DMPK and other scientific disciplines to define and execute integrated project strategies. Strong experience of working within multidisciplinary drug discovery teams, influencing scientific direction and communicating effectively with both internal teams and clients, will therefore be essential. This is a fantastic opportunity to work across diverse drug discovery projects for a range of clients, offering genuine breadth and depth of scientific experience. If this sounds like the next challenge you’d like to embark on - we’d love to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead and influence complex medicinal chemistry programmes, at any stage of pre-clinical development


• Develop high performing project teams, ensuring the delivery of excellent science and successful project outcomes.


• Communicate scientific strategy and key project outcomes, whilst simultaneously manage all stakeholders, both internal and external


• Provide leadership beyond project delivery by contributing to operational strategy, business growth, recruitment, capability development, and continuous improvement programmes across the department.


• Contribute to the development of high-performing scientists through effective mentoring, coaching, training, and performance management.


• Maintain the highest standards of laboratory practice, data integrity, health & safety, and professionalism, ensuring teams are appropriately trained, fully compliant with all relevant company policies, and consistently maintain a safe and productive working environment.


• Represent Sygnature externally through client engagement, scientific presentations, publications, conference participation, and professional networking activities.

Skills & Qualifications:

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline, or equivalent industrial experience.


• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary drug discovery projects and delivering scientific success.


• Broad understanding of integrated drug discovery and the ability to work effectively across multiple scientific disciplines.


• Strong people leadership skills, with experience mentoring, coaching, and developing scientists at different career stages.


• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both scientific and non-scientific audiences.


• Commercial awareness and experience working with clients, supporting proposals, and contributing to business growth.


• Motivated, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)


• Private Medical Insurance


• Life Insurance


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies


• Sygnature Group Pension Scheme


• 1 paid volunteer day per year