Synthetic Organic and Medicinal Chemists (Nottingham)

Sygnature Discovery North America; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave (plus bank hols)

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Sygnature Group Pension Scheme

1 paid volunteer day per year

Job summary

Sygnature Discovery is seeking talented synthetic organic and medicinal chemists to join our Alderley Park-based team on a six-month fixed-term basis. We value candidates who can join on short notice and bring a strong track record in multi-step synthesis to drug discovery projects.

As part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary CRO environment, you will design and implement complex synthetic routes, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to high-quality outputs for diverse clients.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, or a BSc/MSc with several years of industrial drug discovery experience.
• Ability to time-manage the implementation of multiple synthetic sequences in parallel.
• Broad experience performing common organic transformations on a variety of scales, and utilisation of both 1D and 2D NMR techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work well within a team environment.
• Experience within a CRO environment is desirable, with the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with external clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan and execute multi-step synthetic chemistry routes to deliver novel target compounds in support of client and internal drug discovery projects, working to agreed timelines and project milestones.
• Independently analyse experimental results, troubleshoot synthetic challenges and propose alternative strategies to drive project progression and overcome technical obstacles.
• Work closely within a multidisciplinary team to understand project objectives, contribute scientific ideas and ensure chemistry activities support wider goals.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) records and communicate scientific findings through project meetings, technical presentations, client updates, reports, patents and scientific publications where appropriate.
• Utilise a broad range of synthetic chemistry techniques, analytical instrumentation, scientific databases and literature resources to design efficient synthetic routes and support decision making.
• Balance laboratory activities with departmental responsibilities while delivering high-quality scientific output in a fast-paced CRO environment.

Skills

Multi-step synthesis planning

NMR techniques

Analytical data interpretation

Team collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Education

PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

BSc/MSc in Chemistry with industry drug discovery experience

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.

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

Our Chemistry team is growing, and we are looking for talented synthetic organic and medicinal chemists to join us at our Alderley Park site on an initial six-month fixed-term basis.

Due to an immediate requirement within the team, we’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates who are available to join us at short notice.

Chemistry plays a central role within Sygnature’s drug discovery programmes. Our chemists design and synthesise the novel compounds that enable project teams to test new ideas, explore biological activity and optimise potential drug candidates. Working closely with colleagues across other specialist disciplines, our Chemistry teams help turn scientific concepts into high-quality compounds that can advance through the drug discovery process.

As part of the wider Chemistry team, you will design, plan and execute multi-step synthetic routes to deliver novel target compounds in support of client and internal drug discovery projects. As a CRO, we work with a wide range of clients, projects and scientific challenges. This will give you the opportunity to develop genuine variety, breadth and depth within your role rather than working repeatedly on a single programme or target area.

You will need extensive experience designing and carrying out multi-step synthetic strategies towards complex target compounds, together with a strong track record of scientific delivery.

The successful candidates will work within dynamic, multidisciplinary project teams, delivering high-quality science and helping our clients progress their drug discovery programmes.

Role Responsibilities

• Design, plan and execute multi-step synthetic chemistry routes to deliver novel target compounds in support of client and internal drug discovery projects, working to agreed timelines and project milestones.
• Independently analyse experimental results, troubleshoot synthetic challenges and propose alternative strategies to drive project progression and overcome technical obstacles.
• Work closely within a multidisciplinary team to understand project objectives, contribute scientific ideas and ensure chemistry activities support wider goals.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) records and communicate scientific findings through project meetings, technical presentations, client updates, reports, patents and scientific publications where appropriate.
• Utilise a broad range of synthetic chemistry techniques, analytical instrumentation, scientific databases and literature resources to design efficient synthetic routes and support decision making.
• Balance laboratory activities with departmental responsibilities while delivering high-quality scientific output in a fast-paced CRO environment.

Skills & Qualifications

• A PhD, or equivalent, in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, or a BSc/MSc in Chemistry with several years of industrial drug discovery experience.
• Ability to time-manage the implementation of multiple synthetic sequences in parallel, performing multi-parameter optimisation, as required.
• Broad experience performing common organic transformations on a variety of scales, and utilisation of both 1D and 2D NMR techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work well within a team environment.
• Experience within a CRO environment is desirable, with the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with external clients and stakeholders.

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

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, 200+ 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.