Remote Senior Computational Chemist - Drug Discovery Modeling

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible work schedule

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Chemist for a fully remote drug discovery role. You will design and optimize novel drug candidates using molecular modeling, cheminformatics, and advanced simulations, collaborating with medicinal chemists and biologists.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in computational chemistry or related field, 6+ years of experience, and expertise with Schrodinger/MOE, AutoDock, GROMACS, and Python.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in computational chemistry applied to drug discovery.
• Proficiency with computational chemistry software packages and programming in Python.

Responsibilities

• Apply computational chemistry methods to drug discovery projects.
• Perform virtual screening and docking studies to identify potential candidates.
• Perform structure-based and ligand-based drug design and pharmacophore modeling.
• Develop cheminformatics tools and databases for library analysis and property prediction.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to guide design and synthesis of novel compounds.
• Mentor junior computational chemists and contribute to best practices.

Skills

Python programming

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry or related field

6+ years experience in computational chemistry

Tools

Schrodinger

MOE

AutoDock

GROMACS

RDKit

OpenBabel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking an experienced Senior Computational Chemist to join their drug discovery team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute to critical research from anywhere. The role involves utilizing advanced computational chemistry techniques, molecular modeling, and cheminformatics to design and optimize novel drug candidates. You will play a key role in virtual screening, hit-to-lead optimization, and structure-based drug design, working closely with medicinal chemists and biologists. This remote opportunity provides a unique chance to leverage your expertise in computational sciences to accelerate the development of new therapies and impact global health, collaborating within a highly skilled virtual team.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply computational chemistry methods, including molecular mechanics, dynamics, and quantum mechanics, to drug discovery projects.
• Perform virtual screening and docking studies to identify potential drug candidates.
• Conduct structure-based and ligand-based drug design, including pharmacophore modeling.
• Develop and apply cheminformatics tools and databases for compound library analysis and property prediction.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists to guide the design and synthesis of novel compounds.
• Analyze and interpret large datasets from computational simulations and experimental assays.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational chemistry, cheminformatics, and drug discovery technologies.
• Effectively communicate computational findings and their implications to cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
• Mentor junior computational chemists and contribute to best practices within the team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or a related field with a strong focus on computational drug discovery.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in computational chemistry applied to drug discovery.
• Proficiency in computational chemistry software packages (e.g., Schrodinger, MOE, AutoDock, GROMACS).
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with cheminformatics toolkits (e.g., RDKit, OpenBabel).
• Experience with molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations.
• Solid understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and drug discovery processes.
• Excellent data analysis and visualization skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• A track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals is highly desirable.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. We provide a flexible work schedule, generous paid time off, and a professional development budget for conferences and training. Our client fosters a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, and collaboration, supporting a healthy work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to work with leading researchers in the pharmaceutical industry and contribute to the development of life-changing medicines from the convenience of your home office. Join a dedicated team focused on making a difference in global healthcare.