Director, Medicinal Chemistry – Global Drug Discovery Lead

Pharmaron; Hoddesdon; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaron in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Associate Director/Director of Medicinal Chemistry to lead end-to-end drug discovery programmes and deliver high-quality candidates. You will drive strategy and work with global, multidisciplinary teams.

This senior role requires a proven track record in lead optimisation, collaboration with CADD, biology and DMPK, and a passion for innovation in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Permanent contract with competitive remuneration.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry (or equivalent) is required.
• 10+ years in drug discovery within a top pharma, biotech or CRO.
• Proven track record of delivering candidates into clinical development.
• Experience delivering ADC molecules through hit expansion and optimisation.
• Experience managing external collaborations and client-facing projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver medicinal chemistry strategies from hit identification to candidate selection.
• Maintain awareness of internal and external developments in medicinal chemistry design and optimisation.
• Drive scientific excellence in compound design with data-led decision making.
• Provide medicinal chemistry critique across the IDD portfolio.
• Collaborate with CADD, in vitro biology, in vivo pharmacology and DMPK to design and advance compounds.
• Provide leadership to global project teams, including China-based teams.
• Partner with clients to ensure efficient programme delivery and communicate progress to senior leadership.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

Lead optimisation

External collaborations

Drug discovery leadership

CADD

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry

Tools

CADD

DMPK

Computational tools

Job description

Pharmaron in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Associate Director/Director of Medicinal Chemistry to lead end-to-end drug discovery programmes and deliver high-quality candidates. You will drive strategy and work with global, multidisciplinary teams.

This senior role requires a proven track record in lead optimisation, collaboration with CADD, biology and DMPK, and a passion for innovation in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Permanent contract with competitive remuneration.