Senior Scientist / Lead Scientist (Computational Chemistry)

Sygnature Discovery Limited; Monks Heath; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Assistance Programme

Family Friendly Policies

Group Pension

Volunteer day

Job summary

Sygnature Discovery Limited is seeking an experienced Computational Chemist to join our Computational Chemistry group at Alderley Park. This hybrid role requires on-site presence 3-4 days per week and offers the chance to work on high-impact drug discovery projects for top-tier clients.

You will apply expertise in virtual screening, structure- and ligand-based design, and ML/QSAR modelling to advance lead optimisation in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in Computational Chemistry.
• PhD in computational chemistry or Chemistry.
• Strong and convincing presentation skills.
• Experience with structure-based design to optimise ligand binding.
• Experience with ligand-based design including ML or QSAR models.
• Familiarity with SAR analysis of project data sets and ADME/Tox properties.
• Virtual screening using protein X-ray structures or ligand-based methods.
• Protein modelling with multi-sequence alignment and homology modelling across protein classes.
• Familiarity with data pipelining tools and Python scripting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work on integrated drug discovery projects with top biotech and pharma companies.
• Demonstrate experience and expertise in applying the latest generative AI and ML techniques in drug design.
• Apply new and emerging free energy methods on project datasets.
• Be involved with modalities such as PROTACs, molecular glues, macrocycles and other beyond rule of 5 compounds.
• Be involved in validation and testing of new technology for drug design.
• Demonstrate scientific leadership in applying new technologies.
• Create convincing case studies around the use of new technology.
• Contribute to proposal writing for business development.
• Be part of a large global group at the forefront of applying new software and techniques to drug discovery projects

Skills

Experience in Computa­tional Chemistry

PhD in Computa­tional Chemistry

Presentation skills

Structure-based design

Ligand-based design with ML/QSAR

SAR analysis and ADME/Tox

Virtual screening

Protein modelling

Python scripting

Education

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Computa­tional 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:

We have exciting opportunities for experienced Computational Chemists to join our Computational Chemistry group at Alderley Park. These are hybrid roles, with an expectation to be on site 3- 4 times per week.

Our Computational Chemists play a pivotal role in driving cutting-edge research, utilising the latest scientific software and cloud-based technology to solve complex challenges for clients worldwide.

As an experienced Computational Chemist, you will bring broad expertise in drug discovery and compound design. These are project-driven role, and you will be able to demonstrate your experience having worked on numerous drug discovery projects across multiple target families. This will include virtual screening and lead identification, hit to lead and lead optimisation projects.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a world-leading CRO, where you will collaborate on high-impact projects for top-tier clients while advancing your career in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Role Responsibilities:

• Work on integrated drug discovery projects with some of the most high-profile global biotech and pharma companies.
• Demonstrate experience and expertise in applying the latest generative AI and ML techniques in drug design.
• Apply new and emerging free energy methods on projects datasets.
• Be involved with a range of the new modalities such as protacs, molecular glues, macrocycles and other beyond rule of 5 compounds.
• Be involved in the validation and testing of new technology for drug design.
• Demonstrate scientific leadership in the application of new and emerging technologies.
• Create convincing case studies in and around the use of new technology
• Contribute to proposal writing for the business development process.
• Be part of and integrate into a large global group at the forefront of applying new software and techniques to drug discovery projects

Skills & Qualifications:

• You will have 2 to 3 years of experience working in Computational Chemistry.
• You will have a PhD in computational chemistry or/ Chemistry.
• You will have strong and convincing presentation skills.
• You will have worked on numerous structure-based design projects and be familiar with this approach to optimise ligand binding.
• You will have substantial experience of ligand-based design including development of ML or QSAR models. This would include core/fragment replacement work and focussed library design.
• Familiarity with SAR analysis of project data sets and calculation of ADME/Tox relevant properties.
• You will have carried out virtual screening, either using protein x-ray structures or a ligand-based method.
• Protein modelling experience including co-folding techniques, multiple sequence alignment and homology modelling across numerous protein classes.
• Familiarity with data pipelining tools and an ability to script in python is preferred.

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