Senior Machine Learning Scientist

Bindbridge Ltd; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bindbridge Ltd in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Scientist to build the next generation of our AI-driven molecular glue discovery platform. You will set technical direction, review code and methods, and scale research ideas from prototype to production.

You will own models powering the platform from structure prediction to candidate design and scoring, translating biology and chemistry research into actionable modelling strategies while mentoring engineers as the team expands.

Qualifications

• Significant experience applying ML to real-world problems in structural biology, chemistry or drug discovery.
• Proven experience leading ML teams and setting technical direction in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Depth in at least one of: protein structure and complex prediction, docking or generative molecular design.
• Strong hands-on experience with PyTorch and the scientific Python ecosystem.
• Experience contributing to and maintaining deep-learning codebases, with a high bar for engineering quality, reproducibility and testing.
• The judgement to review methods, models and code you did not write, and to tell when a number is measuring the wrong thing.
• A collaborative approach to solving problems.

Responsibilities

• Build the models powering the platform, from structure prediction through candidate design to the scoring layer that ranks them.
• Set technical direction and own the quality bar day to day: review code and methods, decide what gets built and what gets cut, and scale research ideas from prototype to production.
• Translate biology and chemistry team's research into concrete modelling strategies.
• Help hire, onboard and mentor engineers as the team grows.

Skills

Applied ML

ML leadership

Protein structure

PyTorch

Deep learning

Model evaluation

Collaboration

Tools

Python

Git

Job description

About us

• Bindbridge is advancing sustainable agriculture through AI-powered molecular glue discovery and design.
• Backed by Speedinvest and Nucleus Capital , we are building a computational platform to bring targeted protein degradation to agriculture.
• Our first goal is to discover herbicides that revolutionise crop protection while minimising environmental impact.

The role

• As a Senior Machine Learning (ML) Scientist you will build the next generation of our molecular glue discovery and design platform.
• You will set technical direction and own the quality bar day to day: review code and methods, decide what gets built and what gets cut, and scale research ideas from prototype to production.
• You will build the models that power the platform, from structure prediction through candidate design to the scoring layer that ranks them.
• You will own evaluation, building benchmarks that are honest about leakage, memorisation and held-out difficulty.
• You will translate the biology and chemistry team's research into concrete modelling strategies.
• You will help hire, onboard and mentor engineers as the team grows.
• This role is for a mission-driven technical leader who wants to push the frontier of AI for molecular design and turn that progress into crop protection that works.

What you will bring

• Significant experience applying ML to real-world problems in structural biology, chemistry or drug discovery.
• Proven experience leading ML teams and setting technical direction in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Depth in at least one of: protein structure and complex prediction, docking or generative molecular design.
• Strong hands-on experience with PyTorch and the scientific Python ecosystem.
• Experience contributing to and maintaining deep-learning codebases, with a high bar for engineering quality, reproducibility and testing.
• The judgement to review methods, models and code you did not write, and to tell when a number is measuring the wrong thing.
• A collaborative approach to solving problems.

Nice to have

• Publications or open-source contributions in ML for structural biology, computational chemistry or drug discovery.
• PhD in a quantitative or computational field.
• Experience with targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, PROTACs or ternary complex modelling.
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary scientific environment, especially across ML, biology, chemistry and physics.
• Familiarity with the tools, data formats and workflows commonly used in computational biology and chemistry.
• A chance to build the models behind the first AI-designed herbicides, in a field where targeted protein degradation has barely been applied.
• Significant ownership and independence as the senior technical seat on the platform.
• A small, fast-moving team where what you build is what the company runs on.

Application process

• CV review - We look at what you have built and the depth of your ML and scientific experience.
• Introductory chat - An informal conversation about your experience and what you are looking for.
• Technical interview - A collaborative session working through a real problem from our platform together.
• Final interview - A conversation with the CEO about our mission and values.
• References and offer - We check references before making an offer if both sides wish to proceed.

What to expect

• Bindbridge is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, and we encourage you to apply even if you do not match every line above.
• No advance preparation, take-home exercises or algorithmic coding tests at any stage.
• We do not use AI tools to assess candidates. Every application is reviewed by a person, and all hiring decisions are made by people.
• If any adjustments would help you take part, let us know when we contact you and we will be happy to discuss them.