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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Use cutting-edge techniques to design innovative drugs and collaborate with top scientists.
- Company: Join Astex Pharmaceuticals, a leader in drug discovery and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working options, and excellent career development.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with access to extensive resources and collaborative opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by contributing to groundbreaking drug discovery.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in relevant fields and strong molecular modelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali partnered with Novartis, Balversa partnered with Janssen and Truqap partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.
We currently have an opportunity within our Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) group in Cambridge, UK for a dynamic, passionate molecular modeller, with a proven record of performing high caliber science.
The Role
- Apply cutting edge structure-based design methods and state of the art cheminformatics tools to assist our drug discovery programs.
- Work in a unique structure-rich environment, with access to over 19,000 proprietary protein–ligand X-ray and Cryo-EM structures and associated data.
- Collaborate closely with biologists, structural biologists, and medicinal chemists.
- Collaborate with our in-house software development team to expand and enhance our proprietary modelling tools.
- Drive structure-based drug design activities from hit identification through to lead optimization, ensuring alignment with project schedules.
- Interpret crystallographic and cryo-EM data and support structure determination.
- Analyze protein-ligand structures and guide medicinal chemistry through binding mode hypotheses, SAR interpretation, and design of novel analogs.
- Apply cutting-edge molecular modelling approaches including docking, molecular dynamics, QM, free energy calculations, and property optimizations.
- Apply AI generative models and machine learning methodologies to design and optimize new molecules.
- Communicate findings in team and project meetings.
Qualifications
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in Computational Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, or related discipline.
- Strong understanding of drug discovery and SBDD.
- Experience with molecular modelling software (e.g. Schrödinger, MOE, OpenEye, Cresset, or similar).
- Familiarity with protein-ligand interactions, structural interpretation, and conformational analysis.
- Strong understanding of physics-based methods and their application to drug discovery.
- Experience integrating modelling with medicinal chemistry decision-making.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Programming or scripting skills (e.g. Python, R, or Bash) for workflow automation or data analysis.
- Experience with simulation-based methods and machine learning approaches.
- Familiarity with fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD).
- Experience of working in drug discovery teams.
Why Astex
We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment. At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation and behaviours. Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.
Molecular Modeller employer: Astex Pharmaceuticals
Contact Detail:
Astex Pharmaceuticals Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Molecular Modeller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of molecular modelling and drug discovery. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving molecular modelling software or AI methodologies. This can really set you apart during interviews and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of structure-based design methods and cheminformatics tools. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as communication is key in multidisciplinary teams like those at Astex.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Astex team. Good luck, and go get that Molecular Modeller role!
We think you need these skills to ace Molecular Modeller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Molecular Modeller role. Highlight your experience with molecular modelling software and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our cutting-edge drug discovery efforts!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about drug discovery and how your background in computational chemistry or related fields makes you a great fit for Astex. Let us know what excites you about the role!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since you'll be working closely with biologists and chemists, it's important to highlight your teamwork abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in multidisciplinary environments. We love seeing candidates who can communicate effectively across teams!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Astex Pharmaceuticals
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of structure-based drug design and the latest molecular modelling techniques. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methods in your previous work, especially in relation to protein-ligand interactions.
✨Showcase Your Software Skills
Familiarise yourself with the molecular modelling software mentioned in the job description, like Schrödinger or MOE. If you’ve used any similar tools, be prepared to explain how you leveraged them in your projects.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with biologists and chemists, think of examples where you successfully collaborated in a multidisciplinary team. Highlight your communication skills and how you contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced in drug discovery and how you approached solving them. Use examples that showcase your analytical skills and your ability to integrate modelling with medicinal chemistry decision-making.