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- Tasks: Lead drug design projects and collaborate with AI teams to innovate in medicinal chemistry.
- Company: Isomorphic Labs is pioneering drug discovery using AI to revolutionise human health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, continuous learning opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team making real-world impacts on health through cutting-edge science.
- Qualifications: PhD in Chemistry or related field with 5+ years of industry experience required.
- Other info: This role focuses on hands-on contributions rather than people management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Job Description
Isomorphic Labs is applying frontier AI to help unlock deeper scientific insights, faster breakthroughs, and life-changing medicines with an ambition to solve all disease.
The future is coming. A future enabled and enriched by the incredible power of machine learning. A future in which diseases are curtailed or cured starting with better and faster drug discovery.
Come and be part of an interdisciplinary team driving groundbreaking innovation and play a meaningful role in contributing towards us achieving our ambitious goals, while being a part of an inspiring and collaborative culture.
The world we want tomorrow is the one we’re building today. It starts with the culture at this company. It starts with you.
About Iso
Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. Since then, our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed.
Our name comes from the belief that there is an underlying symmetry between biology and information science. By harnessing AI’s powerful capabilities, we can use it to model complex biological phenomena to help design novel molecules, anticipate how drugs will perform and develop innovative medicines to treat and cure some of the world’s most devastating diseases.
We have built a world-leading drug design engine comprising AI models that are capable of working across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. We are continually innovating on model architecture and developing cutting-edge capabilities to advance rational drug design.
Every day, and with each new breakthrough, we’re getting closer to the promise of digital biology, and achieving our ambitious mission to one day solve all disease with the help of AI.
About The Medicinal Drug Design Team
We are a dynamic team of Medicinal Chemists transforming how drugs are designed. By partnering deeply with our AI/ML colleagues, we are doing more than just leveraging the Isomorphic Labs drug design engine – we are actively shaping it. We use our domain expertise to challenge and refine our algorithms, creating a powerful symbiotic relationship that drives our internal and collaborative portfolios. Our team work closely together in a supportive environment, where everyone is valued for their medicinal chemistry expertise and experience they bring to the group. We have a strong growth mindset and prioritise continued development and learning.
Your impact
As part of the ongoing expansion of our Drug Design and Medical Research function, we are hiring Medicinal Drug Design Leads. You will work as a Chemistry Lead, delivering scientific expertise and strategic direction to fulfil milestone objectives on our portfolio projects. You will support the business alongside world leading AI/ML Drug Design Platform teams, and will work collaboratively to drive improvements in the platform and apply these to impactful drug design projects. Please note that this is a scientific leadership role, where you will take an active hands-on role as an individual contributor rather than being a people manager, although you will support and mentor junior colleagues.
If you are a skilled Medicinal Chemist with a passion for applying cutting-edge technology to complex scientific challenges, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity for impact and growth.
What You Will Do
- Invent new medicines. Rapidly drive drug discovery programs to value inflection points by deploying your knowledge of modern discovery principles and synthetic organic chemistry, taking ownership as a Medicinal Chemistry Lead.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to support the data-driven delivery of high quality scientific solutions to complex technical problems.
- Represent the company externally, interacting with existing and prospective collaborators and Contract Research Organisations (CROs).
- Provide strategic input and technical direction to our AI/ML platform teams.
- Effectively manage CRO resource and monitor KPIs to maintain delivery.
- Prepare detailed scientific proposals and reports to support new and ongoing programs.
- Embrace and champion our culture of inclusion and continuous professional development.
Skills And Qualifications
Essential:
- PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, or a related technical field, or equivalent industrial experience.
- 5+ years’ professional experience in a Medicinal Chemistry role, operating within a biotech, pharma or CRO setting.
- Proven track record of leading medicinal chemistry efforts on drug discovery projects, demonstrating significant contributions to project progression (ideally from hit identification through to lead optimisation/candidate nomination), with familiarity of optimisation of DMPK.
- Experience of contributing to structure-based drug design problems.
- Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities applied to complex drug discovery challenges.
- Experience of working with and closely managing CRO resources.
- Strong track record of scientific achievements, evidenced by publications, patents, and presentations.
- A genuine passion for drug discovery and enthusiasm for the potential of AI/ML to transform the field.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative team environment.
- Track record of creative problem solving with a strong growth mindset, adaptability, and eagerness to learn new concepts and techniques.
Nice to have:
- Experience of successful application of fragment-based drug design approaches.
Culture and values
We are guided by our shared values. It's not about finding people who think and act in the same way. These values help to guide our work and will continue to strengthen it.
Thoughtful
Thoughtful at Iso is about curiosity, creativity and care. It is about good people doing good, rigorous and future-making science every single day.
Brave
Brave at Iso is about fearlessness, but it’s also about initiative and integrity. The scale of the challenge demands nothing less.
Determined
Determined at Iso is the way we pursue our goal. It’s a confidence in our hypothesis, as well as the urgency and agility needed to deliver on it. Because disease won’t wait, so neither should we.
Together
Together at Iso is about connection, collaboration across fields and catalytic relationships. It’s knowing that transformation is a group project, and remembering that what we’re doing will have a real impact on real people everywhere.
Creating An Extraordinary Company
We believe that to be successful we need a team with a range of skills and talents. We're building an environment where collaboration is fundamental, learning is shared and every employee feels supported and able to thrive. We value unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, and perspectives, and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Hybrid working
It’s hugely important for us to share knowledge and build strong relationships with each other, and we find it easier to do this if we spend time together in person. This is why we follow a hybrid model, and would require you to be able to come into the office 3 days a week (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, and one other day depending on which team you’re in). If you have additional needs that would prevent you from following this hybrid approach, we’d be happy to talk through these if you’re selected for an initial screening call.
Please note that when you submit an application, your data will be processed in line with our privacy policy.
>> Click to view other open roles at Isomorphic Labs
Medicinal Drug Design Lead, London employer: Isomorphic Labs
Contact Detail:
Isomorphic Labs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Medicinal Drug Design Lead, London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in AI and machine learning as they relate to drug design. Understanding how these technologies are integrated into medicinal chemistry will not only enhance your discussions during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to innovation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of medicinal chemistry and AI. Attend relevant conferences or webinars, and engage with thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn. Building these connections can provide insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading drug discovery projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you contributed to successful outcomes, particularly in multidisciplinary teams, as this aligns closely with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for continuous learning and professional development. Highlight any recent courses, certifications, or workshops you've completed that are relevant to medicinal chemistry and drug design, as this reflects the growth mindset valued by Isomorphic Labs.
We think you need these skills to ace Medicinal Drug Design Lead, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in medicinal chemistry and drug design. Emphasise your PhD and any specific projects that align with the role's requirements, particularly your experience in leading drug discovery programmes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also reflects your passion for advancing human health through innovative drug discovery. Mention how your values align with those of Isomorphic Labs and your enthusiasm for working in a collaborative environment.
Showcase Your Achievements: In your application, include specific examples of your past successes in drug design and discovery. Highlight any patents or publications you've authored, as well as your experience managing CRO resources and mentoring team members.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Isomorphic Labs values curiosity, bravery, determination, and collaboration. In your application, illustrate how you embody these values through your work ethic and approach to scientific challenges, ensuring you convey your commitment to continuous professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Isomorphic Labs
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in medicinal chemistry and drug design. Highlight specific projects where you played a key role, especially those that involved collaboration with AI/ML teams, as this aligns closely with the company's focus.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working within multidisciplinary teams, demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with chemists, biologists, and data scientists to achieve project goals.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with the company's values of being thoughtful, brave, determined, and together. During the interview, reflect these values in your responses and show how they resonate with your own work ethic and approach.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to drug discovery processes, particularly around Lead Optimisation and DMPK. Brush up on recent advancements in these areas and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in your previous roles.
