Senior Computational Chemist - Remote Based

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 2,001,000 - 3,001,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office stipend

Flexible working hours

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development support

Stock options may be considered

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Chemist for a fully remote role in pharmaceutical research. You will design novel drug candidates using molecular modeling, docking, MD, and cheminformatics, guiding synthesis and optimization.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD with 5+ years in the industry, strong Python and RDKit/OpenBabel skills, experience with Schrodinger/MOE/Discovery Studio, and a proven publication record.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Chemistry or a related field.
• 5+ years in computational chemistry, preferably pharma/biotech.
• Strong expertise in molecular modeling software (Schrodinger/MOE/Discovery Studio) and docking/MD/QM/MM.
• Proficiency in Python and cheminformatics toolkits (RDKit/OpenBabel).

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular modeling, virtual screening, and structure-based design to identify and optimize novel agents.
• Predict physicochemical properties, ADMET profiles, and binding affinities of small molecules.
• Utilize cheminformatics tools and databases for library design and knowledge discovery.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to support synthesis campaigns and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Work with biologists to interpret SAR and guide target validation.
• Develop and maintain robust computational workflows and scripts.
• Stay updated with advances in computational chemistry and drug discovery.
• Publish and present research findings at conferences.

Skills

Molecular modeling

Docking

MD simulations

QM/MM

Python

RDKit

OpenBabel

Drug discovery

Data analysis

Remote work

Education

PhD in Computational Chemistry or related field

Tools

Schrodinger

MOE

Discovery Studio

RDKit

OpenBabel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development, dedicated to discovering and creating life-changing medicines. We are expanding our remote-first research capabilities and are seeking a highly skilled Senior Computational Chemist to join our innovative team. This fully remote position allows you to contribute to groundbreaking drug discovery projects from your home office, collaborating with a world-class team of chemists, biologists, and computational scientists. You will leverage advanced computational chemistry techniques, molecular modeling, and cheminformatics to design novel drug candidates, predict their properties, and guide synthetic efforts. As a remote-first organization, we foster a culture of collaboration, open communication, and provide the necessary infrastructure and support for seamless remote work. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on human health by accelerating the discovery of new therapeutics, all while enjoying the flexibility of a fully remote role. We are committed to scientific excellence and fostering a supportive environment for our distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform molecular modeling, virtual screening, and structure-based drug design to identify and optimize novel therapeutic agents.
• Develop and apply computational methods for predicting physicochemical properties, ADMET profiles, and binding affinities of small molecules.
• Utilize cheminformatics tools and databases for compound library design, analysis, and knowledge discovery.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists to provide computational support for synthesis campaigns and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Work with biologists to interpret structure-activity relationships and guide target validation efforts.
• Develop and maintain robust computational workflows and scripts to enhance research efficiency.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and drug discovery.
• Author and co-author scientific publications and present research findings at relevant conferences.
• Contribute to the design and execution of computational research strategies within drug discovery programs.
• Maintain high standards of data management, documentation, and code reproducibility.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Physical Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in computational chemistry, preferably within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Strong expertise in molecular modeling software (e.g., Schrodinger, MOE, Discovery Studio) and computational chemistry techniques (e.g., docking, MD simulations, QM/MM).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and experience with cheminformatics toolkits (e.g., RDKit, OpenBabel).
• Solid understanding of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry principles, and drug discovery processes.
• Experience with large-scale data analysis and visualization of chemical and biological data.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and independently in a fully remote research setting.
• Proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in chemistry is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, commensurate with your experience and contributions.
• As a remote-first role, we provide a home office stipend and flexible working hours.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided, along with a generous retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, including attending leading conferences and workshops, are encouraged and supported.
• You will have access to state-of-the-art computational resources and software.
• A significant emphasis is placed on work-life balance and fostering an inclusive, supportive remote work culture.
• The chance to contribute to developing medicines that improve global health is a core aspect of this role.
• Stock options may be considered for exceptional candidates.