At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cheminformatics platforms and drive drug discovery decisions.
- Company: Join a venture-backed biotech in London focused on innovative oncology therapies.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hands-on leadership role with opportunities for growth and influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cancer treatment while collaborating with top scientists and leaders.
- Qualifications: PhD in cheminformatics or related field, with strong coding and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a real-world impact in healthcare.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Job Description
VP of Cheminformatics
My client is a venture-backed biotech in London developing small-molecule therapies for oncology. Backed by top-tier investors and led by proven drug developers, they’re combining cutting-edge cancer biology with data-driven discovery to build a new kind of pipeline.
The VP of Cheminformatics will know how to build smart, scalable informatics platforms and drive real-world decisions in drug discovery. This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll sit across chemistry, biology and data science, working closely with the C-suite and other functional heads. You’ll have the freedom to shape strategy and team structure, but will also be expected to roll your sleeves up and contribute technically.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build and own the company’s cheminformatics infrastructure from core tools to broader platform strategy
- Develop and deploy pipelines that integrate screening data, SAR, predictive models and structural insights
- Drive informatics strategy across multiple drug discovery programmes, from early hit-finding through to candidate nomination
- Collaborate daily with medicinal chemists, biologists and data scientists to improve compound design and prioritisation
- Lead the selection and implementation of third-party tools, vendors and data systems
- Hire, mentor and lead a small (but growing) informatics team
- Act as a core member of the scientific leadership team, contributing to broader R&D strategy
Experience Required:
- Substantial experience in cheminformatics roles at biotech or pharma ideally with direct exposure to oncology programmes
- Proven ability to build and implement cheminformatics tools used in active drug discovery
- Strong technical grounding
- Comfortable coding in Python and working with structural and screening datasets
- Familiarity with ML/AI platforms for drug design
- Strong leadership skills able to influence cross-functionally and build out high-performing teams
- PhD (or equivalent) in cheminformatics, computational chemistry or related field preferred
Vice President of Cheminformatics employer: Nexia
Contact Detail:
Nexia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President of Cheminformatics
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the cheminformatics field, especially those who have experience in oncology. Attend industry conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and technologies.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your technical skills by contributing to open-source cheminformatics projects or creating your own tools. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your coding abilities but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the specific drug discovery programmes of the company you're applying to. Understanding their pipeline and how cheminformatics plays a role can help you tailor your discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in building teams. Highlight examples where you've successfully influenced cross-functional collaboration, as this is crucial for the VP role.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President of Cheminformatics
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cheminformatics, particularly in biotech or pharma settings. Emphasise your leadership roles and any direct exposure to oncology programmes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for drug discovery and how your background aligns with the company's mission. Mention specific examples of how you've built informatics platforms or led teams in previous roles.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills, especially your coding proficiency in Python and familiarity with ML/AI platforms. Provide examples of projects where you used these skills to drive results in drug discovery.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves collaboration with various teams, include examples of successful cross-functional projects. Demonstrating your ability to work with chemists, biologists, and data scientists will strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nexia
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a VP of Cheminformatics, you'll need to demonstrate your strong technical grounding. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cheminformatics tools, coding in Python, and working with structural and screening datasets. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented these skills.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
This role requires strong leadership skills, so be ready to share examples of how you've built and led high-performing teams. Discuss your approach to mentoring and how you've influenced cross-functional collaboration in previous roles.
✨Align with Company Goals
Research the company's mission and current projects in oncology. During the interview, articulate how your vision for cheminformatics aligns with their goals. This shows that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture and objectives.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since you'll be contributing to broader R&D strategy, prepare to discuss your thoughts on informatics strategy across drug discovery programmes. Think about how you would approach integrating screening data and predictive models, and be ready to share your insights during the interview.