Senior Scientist, Mechanistic Biochemistry & Drug Discovery

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Babraham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is seeking a Senior Scientist to provide lab-based leadership in biochemical and biophysical studies within the Mechanistic Pharmacology team. You will shape project strategies, drive hit-identification workflows, and deliver high-quality SAR/SKR data to advance portfolio objectives.

The role focuses on biochemical approaches to support drug discovery, collaborating across CRH and external partners to accelerate cancer therapeutics development.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in biochemistry or in vitro pharmacology.
• Significant industrial drug discovery experience.
• Proven expertise in mechanistic enzymology for target characterization.
• Extensive understanding of biochemical assay technologies and kinetic profiling.
• Experience with developing assays for diverse target classes.
• Credible external reputation through publications and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership for molecular characterization of cancer targets and in vitro characterization of small molecules using biochemical assays.
• Drive SAR/SKR data generation to guide project decisions and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Adopt innovative biochemical technologies and build external collaborations with CROs and experts.
• Lead external partnerships and define best practice for biochemical assays and mechanism studies.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to advance project objectives and deliverables.
• Coordinate delivery of scientific objectives and mentor team members.

Skills

Biochemistry

Biophysics

Mechanistic enzymology

Enzyme assays

Kinetic profiling

Small molecule characterization

External collaborations

Education

PhD in Biochemistry

Job description

Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is seeking a Senior Scientist to provide lab-based leadership in biochemical and biophysical studies within the Mechanistic Pharmacology team. You will shape project strategies, drive hit-identification workflows, and deliver high-quality SAR/SKR data to advance portfolio objectives.

The role focuses on biochemical approaches to support drug discovery, collaborating across CRH and external partners to accelerate cancer therapeutics development.