Principal Scientist - Cheminformatics

GSK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK is seeking a Principal Scientist in Cheminformatics to lead the development of advanced computational methods and predictive models using large proprietary datasets, accelerating small-molecule design and lab automation. You will drive production-quality code and cross-functional collaboration across DAPS and R&D, applying ML and computational chemistry to decision-making.

The role involves coordinating with DMPK, Toxicology, Safety Pharmacology and other teams, with relocation to Cambridge

Qualifications

• Relevant degree-level education (eg; PhD or MSc in Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, Informatics, Life Sciences) or equivalent with a strong Chemistry foundation.
• Knowledge / Experience of programmatically collecting, combining, mining and analysing complex biological and chemical data to build predictive models.
• Broad knowledge of computational sciences including machine learning, computational chemistry and cheminformatics methods.
• Knowledge / Experience of computer programming and scripting languages (eg; Python, Java, C/C++, R).

Responsibilities

• Build, validate and deploy cheminformatics and machine learning methods and models to inform go/no-go across drug-discovery programmes.
• Integrate with drug discovery programme teams to embed predictive models directly into decision-making and translate computational outputs into guidance accessible to non-experts.
• Prototype exploratory, agent-driven workflows that combine LLM-based reasoning with cheminformatics tools, predictive models and experimental data to accelerate hypothesis generation, literature and data triage, and iterative design / make / test / analyse cycles.
• Contribute to and validate production-quality code implementing state-of-the-art cheminformatics, computational chemistry and quantum chemistry methods that accelerate and improve decision-making on drug discovery programmes.
• Prepare and present results of key validation experiments, details of capability builds, and developments on drug discovery projects to internal and external groups in a way accessible to non-subject matter experts.
• Work with others within a multidisciplinary matrix team that spans different organizations and geographies to execute on joint aims.

Skills

AI

Computational Sciences

Computer Programming

Data Analysis

Data Management

Data Modeling

Data Science

Predictive Modeling

Statistical Models

Education

PhD or MSc in Cheminformatics

Chemistry foundation

Tools

ChemAxon

RDKit

Pipeline Pilot

KNIME

Job description

This role sits within the Data, Automation and Predictive Sciences (DAPS) division of GSK’s Research & Development (R&D) function and reports into the Senior Director for Cheminformatics. The Data, Automation, and Predictive Sciences (DAPS) function of GSK Research Technologies focuses on large-scale data generation, curation, analysis, and prediction to increase the Probability of Technical and Regulatory Success (PTRS) of assets.

Job purpose:

The Principal Scientist role (within the Cheminformatics group) uses large proprietary internal datasets to develop, integrate and embed advanced computational methods and predictive in-silico models to accelerate the discovery of medicines. With a focus on machine learning, cheminformatics and computational chemistry methodologies, you will help drive the development and delivery of key new capabilities for our internal automated small molecule design platform coupled directly to lab automation.

At GSK we currently have a major R&D initiative focused on transforming small-molecule drug discovery.

Responsibilities (include..,):

• Build, validate and deploy cheminformatics and machine learning methods and models to inform go/no-go across drug-discovery programmes.
• Integrate with drug discovery programme teams (including DMPK, Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology) to embed predictive models directly into decision-making and translate computational outputs into guidance that is accessible to non-experts.
• Prototype exploratory, agent-driven workflows that combine LLM-based reasoning with cheminformatics tools, predictive models and experimental data to accelerate hypothesis generation, literature and data triage, and iterative design / make / test / analyse cycles.
• Contribute to and validate production-quality code implementing state-of-the-art cheminformatics, computational chemistry and quantum chemistry methods that accelerate and improve decision-making on drug discovery programmes.
• Prepare and present results of key validation experiments, details of capability builds, and developments on drug discovery projects to internal and external groups in a way that is both informative and accessible to the non-subject matter expert.
• Work with others within a multidisciplinary matrix team that spans different organizations and geographies to execute on joint aims.

Please Note - Location:

This role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge UK, in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.

About You:

This role is a great opportunity to be instrumental in developing and delivering subject matter expertise across GSK. As this role is multi-faceted and includes collaborating / liaising with a wide variety of stakeholders and matrix teams you must have strong experience of working in complex technical situations, with demonstrable clear problem-solving approach to your work. Strong people skills and a proven ability to influence people to achieve and drive performance are also pre-requisites for this role.

About GSK:

GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centered on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems. Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines. Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE – Friday 20th of November 2026 (COB).

Basic Qualifications:

• Relevant degree-level education (eg; PhD or MSc in Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, Informatics, Life Sciences) or equivalent with a strong Chemistry foundation.
• Knowledge / Experience of programmatically collecting, combining, mining and analysing complex biological and chemical data to build predictive models.
• Broad knowledge of computational sciences including machine learning, computational chemistry and cheminformatics methods.
• Knowledge / Experience of computer programming and scripting languages (eg; Python, Java, C/C++, R).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of related disciplines (medicinal chemistry, HT screening, analytical chemistry, systems biology, DMPK, Tox) to enable multidisciplinary approaches to be identified and integrated into a cohesive project plan is preferred.
• Expertise with chemical toolkits such as ChemAxon, RDkit and scientific pipelining tools such as Pipeline Pilot, KNIME

Skills

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computational Sciences, Computer Programming, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Modeling, Data Science, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Models

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/