At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI-driven protein design and optimisation for next-gen therapeutics.
- Company: Exciting early-stage biotech company in London with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible home working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with significant ownership and autonomy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge research and shape the future of therapeutics.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in relevant fields and strong computational expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
You will be joining an exciting early-stage biotechnology company in London developing next-generation therapeutics. You will work in a highly collaborative environment at the intersection of computational biology, machine learning, structural biology, and protein engineering, helping to shape a core capability within the business. You will be joining them as they go into their next phase of growth, with plenty of opportunities for development and progression.
This is a permanent position, based in London but with home working flexibility and you will report into the CTO. A key part of this role is driving the design and optimisation of therapeutic proteins using state-of-the-art AI models, physics-based approaches, and structural biology insights.
Key responsibilities include:
- Applying AI-driven protein structure prediction and design tools to generate and prioritise novel protein variants
- Using energetic, structural, and conformational principles to improve protein stability, function, and design success rates
- Designing and optimising proteins and enzymes using computational modelling approaches
- Applying molecular dynamics simulations and related methods to understand protein behaviour and conformational landscapes
- Translating computational designs into testable constructs for experimental validation
- Working closely with internal scientists and external CRO partners to iterate and improve designs based on experimental results
- Developing and maintaining protein design, modelling, and analysis workflows
- Supporting the integration of structural, computational, and experimental datasets to accelerate therapeutic development
What you will need to succeed:
A successful candidate will combine deep computational expertise with a strong understanding of protein structure and experimental validation:
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Biophysics, Machine Learning, Structural Biology, or a related field
- Strong experience with protein structure prediction and design platforms such as AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, ESMFold, or similar, preferably within the biotech / pharma industry
- Experience in computational protein engineering, ideally including enzyme design and optimisation
- Hands-on experience with molecular dynamics simulations (GROMACS, OpenMM, AMBER, NAMD, or similar)
- Strong Python programming skills and experience with scientific computing frameworks
- Ability to combine AI-enabled approaches with physics-based reasoning and energetic modelling
- Experience working alongside wet-lab scientists and/or CRO partners to validate and refine computational designs
- Comfortable operating within a small, fast-paced biotech environment with significant ownership and autonomy
What you will get in return:
As well as an excellent salary package you will also get a chance to make a significant impact on the company's cutting-edge research and further develop your career as they continue to grow.
What you need to do now:
If you are interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
AI Protein Design Lead in London employer: Hays Life Sciences
Join a leading healthcare organisation that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work environment where you can take ownership of life cycle strategy across a diverse EU portfolio. With flexible working options and a strong focus on employee growth, this company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and support, making it an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in regulatory affairs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Protein Design Lead in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Hays Life Sciences. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Hays Life Sciences!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Protein Design Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Hays Life Sciences that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Hays Life Sciences.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Hays Life Sciences does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Life Sciences
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Hays Life Sciences. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Hays Life Sciences's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Hays Life Sciences. This shows your passion for the industry!
