Senior Computational Chemist - Drug Discovery

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Medical coverage

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Training & conferences

Job summary

Placements24, on behalf of a prominent pharmaceutical research organization, seeks a Senior Computational Chemist to contribute to drug discovery programs in Welkom, Free State. This hybrid role blends focused independent work with essential teamwork at our advanced research facility, leveraging modeling and simulation to accelerate candidate discovery.

You will apply molecular modeling, docking, QSAR, and MD, design virtual screening campaigns, predict ADMET properties, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or related field.
• 5+ years in computational chemistry within pharma/biotech.
• Proficiency with Schrödinger, MOE, GROMACS, AMBER, Gaussian.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational chemistry methods (docking, QM/MM, MD).
• Design virtual screening campaigns from large chemical libraries.
• Predict/Analyze ADMET properties and SAR data.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists/biologists to optimize leads.
• Publish reports and contribute to patents.
• Maintain data integrity and comply with regulatory standards.

Skills

Python scripting

QSAR

Molecular modeling

Virtual screening

ADMET

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry

Tools

Schrödinger

MOE

GROMACS

AMBER

Gaussian

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Computational Chemist to contribute to their drug discovery programs in Welkom, Free State. This role is pivotal in leveraging computational methods to accelerate the identification and optimization of novel therapeutic compounds. You will be integral to the drug discovery pipeline, applying advanced modeling and simulation techniques to understand molecular interactions, predict compound properties, and guide experimental efforts. The position is designed for a collaborative scientist who can bridge the gap between theoretical chemistry and practical drug development. This Hybrid role allows for a blend of focused individual work and essential team collaboration at our advanced research facility. We are committed to innovation and seeking individuals who share our passion for developing life-changing medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational chemistry methods, including molecular modeling, docking, QM/MM, and molecular dynamics simulations.
• Design virtual screening campaigns to identify promising hit compounds from large chemical libraries.
• Predict and analyze compound properties such as ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, Toxicity).
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists and biologists to optimize lead compounds and support structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Interpret computational results and present them effectively to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Contribute to the development of new computational tools and workflows to enhance drug discovery efficiency.
• Maintain and manage computational resources and databases relevant to drug discovery.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in computational chemistry and cheminformatics.
• Author scientific reports, publications, and contribute to patent applications.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with relevant regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in computational chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proficiency with standard computational chemistry software packages (e.g., Schrodinger, MOE, GROMACS, AMBER, Gaussian).
• Strong expertise in molecular modeling, virtual screening, QSAR, and molecular dynamics simulations.
• Experience with ADMET prediction methods and property profiling.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python for workflow automation and data analysis.
• Excellent understanding of organic chemistry principles and medicinal chemistry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with experience working in a Hybrid team environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects concurrently.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional growth, conference attendance, and specialized training.
• Access to high-performance computing clusters and advanced software.
• A collaborative and stimulating research environment focused on innovation.
• Potential for advancement within the organization.
• Relocation support for qualified candidates moving to Welkom, Free State.