Computational Drug Designer, London

Isomorphic Labs; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotech company in London seeks a skilled scientist to advance drug design using AI. The role involves collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges in drug discovery. Candidates should have a PhD in a related field and experience in computational chemistry. This position offers significant opportunities for personal growth within a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative work culture

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in computational chemistry in biotech or pharma.
• Strong foundational knowledge of computational chemistry concepts.
• Experience in structure-based drug design.

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise in computational drug design to solve problems.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver high quality designs.
• Mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Computational drug design

AI/ML application in drug design

Strong communication skills

Collaborative teamwork

Education

PhD in Computational Chemistry

Tools

Python

Cheminformatics tools

Job description

Isomorphic Labs is applying frontier AI to help unlock deeper scientific insights, faster breakthroughs, and life-changing medicines with an ambition to solve all disease.

The future is coming. A future enabled and enriched by the incredible power of machine learning. A future in which diseases are curtailed or cured starting with better and faster drug discovery.

Come and be part of an interdisciplinary team driving groundbreaking innovation and play a meaningful role in contributing towards us achieving our ambitious goals, while being a part of an inspiring and collaborative culture.

The world we want tomorrow is the one we’re building today. It starts with the culture at this company. It starts with you.

About Iso

Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. Since then, our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed.

Our name comes from the belief that there is an underlying symmetry between biology and information science. By harnessing AI’s powerful capabilities, we can use it to model complex biological phenomena to help design novel molecules, anticipate how drugs will perform and develop innovative medicines to treat and cure some of the world’s most devastating diseases.

We have built a world-leading drug design engine comprising AI models that are capable of working across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. We are continually innovating on model architecture and developing cutting-edge capabilities to advance rational drug design.

Every day, and with each new breakthrough, we’re getting closer to the promise of digital biology, and achieving our ambitious mission to one day solve all disease with the help of AI.

Your impact

You will play an integral role in our drug discovery project teams, applying your knowledge and track record of modern drug design principles to provide strategic input to advance our programs. You will apply the latest AI to computational drug design, gaining hands-on experience using state-of-the-art computational tools for real-world drug discovery challenges. Alongside world-leading AI/ML Drug Design Platform teams, you will deliver scientific expertise and strategic direction to drive improvements in our platform.

If you are a skilled and ambitious scientist looking to take the next step in your career, joining Isomorphic Labs now will lift you out of your comfort zone and provide you with an amazing opportunity for personal growth and development.

What you will do

• Apply your expertise in computational drug design to solve drug design problems and provide technical direction to our Platform teams.
• Collaborate internally and with third party organisations to support the data-driven delivery of high quality designs, and solutions to complex technical problems.
• Prepare detailed scientific proposals and reports to support new and ongoing drug discovery programs.
• Mentor and support the development of more junior colleagues in our growing team.
• Embrace and champion our culture of inclusion and continuous professional development.

Skills and qualifications

• PhD in Computational Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry (or a related technical field), or equivalent industrial experience.
• 5+ years industrial experience in computational chemistry (CADD), operating within a biotech or pharma setting.
• Strong foundational knowledge of modern computational chemistry, including core computational chemistry concepts (e.g. cheminformatics, virtual screening, docking, machine learning models, model assessment).
• Experience of contributing to structure-based drug design (SBDD) problems, with a proven track record of success.
• Experience of writing and implementing Python scripts, or utilising pipelining tools, to support project teams in cheminformatic and computational chemistry design workflows.
• A genuine passion and enthusiasm for applying AI/ML to drug design and how this can transform the field.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative team environment.
• A strong growth mindset, adaptability, and eagerness to learn new concepts and techniques.

Nice to have:

• Experience working with or managing activities at contract research organisations (CROs).
• Familiarity with medicinal chemistry techniques (e.g. data analysis software, ADMET principles).
• Knowledge of other specific drug discovery approaches like fragment-based drug design (FBDD), and alternative modalities like PROTACs, molecular glues, PPI inhibitors or stabilisers etc.
• Basic understanding of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) principles.
• Fluency in Python with ability to write code for new tools.
• Track record of authorship of relevant scientific manuscripts and/or inventorship of composition of matter patents.

Culture and values

We are guided by our shared values. It's not about finding people who think and act in the same way. These values help to guide our work and will continue to strengthen it.

Thoughtful Thoughtful at Iso is about curiosity, creativity and care. It is about good people doing good, rigorous and future-making science every single day.

Brave Brave at Iso is about fearlessness, but it’s also about initiative and integrity. The scale of the challenge demands nothing less.

Determined Determined at Iso is the way we pursue our goal. It’s a confidence in our hypothesis, as well as the urgency and agility needed to deliver on it. Because disease won’t wait, so neither should we.

Together Together at Iso is about connection, collaboration across fields and catalytic relationships. It’s knowing that transformation is a group project, and remembering that what we’re doing will have a real impact on real people everywhere.

Creating an extraordinary company

We believe that to be successful we need a team with a range of skills and talents. We're building an environment where collaboration is fundamental, learning is shared and every employee feels supported and able to thrive. We value unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, and perspectives, and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

It’s hugely important for us to share knowledge and build strong relationships with each other, and we find it easier to do this if we spend time together in person. This is why we follow a hybrid model, and would require you to be able to come into the office 3 days a week (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, and one other day depending on which team you’re in). If you have additional needs that would prevent you from following this hybrid approach, we’d be happy to talk through these if you’re selected for an initial screening call.

Please note that when you submit an application, your data will be processed in line with our privacy policy.

Isomorphic Labs is an AI-first company and we welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds. If you require any adjustments, please discuss this with the Talent team during your initial screening call.

In which of our office locations would you prefer to be based? Certain jobs may only be available in one location - please check the details before applying.