Remote Senior Computational Chemist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 2,030,000 - 3,046,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote salary

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Home office stipend

Continuous learning support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Chemist to join a fully remote research team focused on drug discovery. The role requires deep expertise in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and cheminformatics to design and optimize novel drug candidates from anywhere, collaborating with a globally distributed team of scientists and drug developers.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD and at least 5 years in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, strong Python programming skills, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Physical Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in computational chemistry within pharma/biotech.
• Expertise with molecular modeling software and simulation techniques.
• Strong programming in Python and cheminformatics toolkits.
• Experience handling large chemical/biological datasets.
• Independent work style with remote collaboration.
• Clear communication across distributed teams.
• Machine learning applied to chemical/biological data a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular modeling, simulations, and QSAR studies to guide drug design.
• Develop and apply computational chemistry techniques including docking, virtual screening, and free energy calculations.
• Collaborate remotely with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to translate data into insights.
• Design and implement cheminformatics workflows for library design and data analysis.
• Evaluate new computational tools and methodologies to enhance discovery.
• Analyze large datasets and present findings to teams.
• Contribute to publications, patents, and internal reports.
• Maintain documentation for projects and analyses.
• Propose innovative computational strategies for drug discovery challenges.

Skills

Python programming

Education

PhD in Computational Chemistry

Tools

Schrodinger

MOE

Cerius2

RDKit

OpenBabel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical company at the forefront of drug discovery, is actively seeking a talented and motivated Senior Computational Chemist to join their fully remote research team. This position is designed for an individual who thrives in a flexible, home-based work environment and possesses deep expertise in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and cheminformatics. You will be integral to the design and optimization of novel drug candidates by leveraging advanced computational techniques. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to impactful research from anywhere, collaborating with a globally distributed team of scientists and drug developers. The ideal candidate will possess a strong drive for innovation, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work autonomously while effectively communicating with colleagues. We are looking for someone passionate about applying computational methods to accelerate the discovery of life-saving medicines. You will be instrumental in guiding computational strategies and influencing the direction of early-stage drug discovery programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform in-depth molecular modeling, simulations, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies to guide drug design efforts.
• Develop and apply computational chemistry techniques, including docking, virtual screening, and free energy calculations, to identify and optimize lead compounds.
• Collaborate remotely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to translate experimental data into computational insights and vice versa.
• Design and implement cheminformatics workflows for library design, data analysis, and knowledge management.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational tools and methodologies to enhance the drug discovery process.
• Analyze and interpret large datasets, presenting findings clearly and concisely to project teams and management.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, patent applications, and internal reports.
• Maintain high standards of documentation for all computational projects and analyses.
• Proactively identify and propose innovative computational strategies to address complex drug discovery challenges.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Physical Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in computational chemistry within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular modeling software (e.g., Schrodinger, MOE, Cerius2) and simulation techniques.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with cheminformatics toolkits (e.g., RDKit, OpenBabel).
• Proficiency in handling and analyzing large chemical and biological datasets.
• Excellent understanding of medicinal chemistry principles and drug discovery processes.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across distributed teams.
• Experience with machine learning applied to chemical or biological data is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive remote salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan.
• We provide extensive opportunities for professional growth and development, including access to online courses and virtual conferences.
• A flexible work schedule and the opportunity to work from anywhere are key benefits of this role.
• We foster a collaborative and inclusive remote culture, prioritizing employee well-being and work-life balance.
• Additional perks include home office stipend and continuous learning support.