Computational Chemist

SLRS Computational Chemist

Details of the role:
This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary: From £54,621 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

About us…

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions, and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role…

We are looking to hire a Computational Chemist to join the Chemical Biology Science Technology Platform at the Crick.

If you have a PhD in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or a related field and experience in applying computational chemistry to chemical biology or medicinal chemistry research, this may be the perfect role for you.

You will be joining a multidisciplinary team, working alongside another computational chemist on data analysis and in silico predictions, using computational methods to refine experimental design. Some of the key responsibilities of this role will be applying computational techniques to small molecule discovery, including virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations, as well as maintaining cheminformatics systems, which is why the knowledge of programming such as Python is essential.

Collaboration is also a key aspect of this role, and the successful candidate will work closely with STP chemists and researchers across the Crick to integrate computational techniques into the development of chemical probes and small molecules.

What you will be doing…

As a Computational Chemist at the Crick, you will:

• Develop and Maintain Cheminformatics Resources: Design, establish, and manage cheminformatics tools that support the STP’s projects. Collaborate with Crick Scientific Computing, STP scientists, and external companies to ensure a robust and efficient platform.
• Project Support: Provide computational chemistry support across STP projects, applying virtual screening, compound library design, structure-based drug design, and other computational methods to address project goals.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams within the STP and across the Crick to design and implement computational solutions for complex research questions in chemical biology.
• Continuous Development and Knowledge Sharing: Stay updated on advancements in computational chemistry, applying relevant methods to STP projects. Contribute to scientific discussions, seminars, and workshops to share computational insights and solutions.

About you…

Essential skills:

• PhD in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, or a related field.
• Proven experience in applying computational chemistry to chemical biology or medicinal chemistry research in academic or industrial settings.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Bash) and familiarity with cheminformatics and molecular modelling tools (e.g., RDKit, Flare, AMBER, GROMACS).
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and to address complex research questions in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet defined milestones.

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services, and mental health support programs.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, and annual leave purchase options.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Development & Recognition: Comprehensive training, mentoring, and a pay structure with performance-linked progression.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

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