At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative drug discovery projects and collaborate with global research partners.
- Company: Join a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing global healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by shaping the future of drug discovery.
- Qualifications: Ph.D. in Chemistry with experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Our company is a global healthcare leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. Our success is grounded in ethical integrity, scientific excellence, and an inspiring mission to deliver meaningful advances in global healthcare. We are committed to being the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, and our Research Laboratories bring together leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that changes the way serious diseases are treated.
We are seeking an outstanding and scientifically driven chemist for an exciting role within External Discovery Chemistry. Based in the United Kingdom, this position offers a unique opportunity to help shape and strengthen our external discovery chemistry strategy by providing scientific and operational leadership across our UK and European Contract Research Organization (CRO) partner network. As a key member of the External Discovery Chemistry team, the Associate Director will collaborate with colleagues across our worldwide external discovery organization and partner closely with internal discovery project teams and external CRO scientists.
This role will play an important part in advancing high-impact drug discovery programs by integrating CRO contributions into project objectives, enabling innovative molecular design, accelerating structure-activity relationship development, guiding synthetic route planning, and helping resolve complex synthetic chemistry challenges. The successful candidate will bring deep medicinal and synthetic chemistry expertise, strong scientific judgment, and the ability to build trusted collaborations across geographies, cultures, and time zones. This position will require domestic and international travel (up to 40%), including periodic multi-day site visits and working sessions with CRO partners across the UK, Europe and within our broader global CRO partner network.
Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline required
- Required Experience:
- Multi-year industry experience in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and/or external scientific collaboration, with demonstrated readiness for an Associate Director-level role
- Authorization and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including periodic visits to CRO partner sites and company locations as business needs require
- Proven record of accomplishments in synthetic organic chemistry and/or medicinal chemistry
- Expert proficiency in mining scientific literature and databases
- Familiarity with, and comprehensive knowledge of, digital chemistry tools, data science approaches, and predictive modeling tools used to support modern drug discovery
- Familiarity with X-ray crystallography, structural information, and structure-guided design principles to inform molecular design and optimization
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills in a global team environment
- Preferred Experience:
- International work experience with CROs
- Proven record of accomplishments in medicinal chemistry and therapeutic target design
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Required Skills: Chemistry, Crystallography, Drug Design, Drug Formulations, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Design, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Process Chemistry, Project Management, Risk Management, Scientific Literacy, Synthetic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Employee Status: Regular
Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Job Posting End Date: 09/12/2026
A job posting is effective until 11:59:59 PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R412126
Associate Director, External Discovery Chemistry employer: MSD in the UK
As a global healthcare leader, we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters collaboration, diversity, and professional growth. Our Medical Science Liaison role in the North of England, Scotland & Northern Ireland provides the unique opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals while contributing to improved patient outcomes. We are committed to creating a culture of respect and teamwork, ensuring our employees thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, External Discovery Chemistry
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, External Discovery Chemistry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at MSD in the UK!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show MSD in the UK that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at MSD in the UK!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At MSD in the UK, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD in the UK
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at MSD in the UK that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
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In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
