At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop web-based tools and automate workflows to enhance lab operations and data management.
- Company: Nxera Pharma, a tech-driven biopharma company focused on innovative medicines.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26 days leave, private medical insurance, and gym membership.
- Other info: Inclusive culture valuing diversity and personal authenticity.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact in drug discovery and patient care.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or life sciences and full-stack software engineering experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Reports to
- VP of Cheminformatics & Data Architecture
- About Nxera Pharma
Nxera Pharma (formerly Sosei Heptares) is a technology powered biopharma company, in pursuit of new speciality medicines to improve the lives of patients with unmet needs globally.
In addition to several products being commercialized in Japan, we are advancing an extensive pipeline of active programs from discovery through to late clinical stage internally and in partnership with leading pharma and biotech companies.
This pipeline is focused on addressing major unmet needs in some of the fastest-growing areas of medicine (particularly metabolic and endocrine disorders), and leverages the power of our unique and industry leading GPCR-targeted structure-based drug discovery "Nx Wave" platform to provide a sustainable source of best- or first-in-class candidates.
In Cambridge UK, we have built outstanding research capabilities across our platform, discovery and translational medicine teams, to advance multiple programs from pre-clinical through to early clinical development.
In Tokyo, our expert teams are dedicated to late-stage development (Ph 2/3) and innovative commercialization/ go-to-market approaches.
Our newly formed Nx AQ organisation is building a high throughput AI and physics driven GPCR discovery engine that augments our world class experimental capabilities and extensive proprietary structural and chemogenomic data assets, with the aim of developing drug candidates faster.
The Role
You will join the Data & Cheminformatics team within Nx AQ.
The successful candidate will work with stakeholders across the Nxera Pharma R&D business to understand their day-to-day workflows, identify gaps and limitations, and design innovative solutions that reduce friction, costs and cycle times.
What You'll Do
- Develop web-based tools to handle and track requests/submissions and streamline lab operations.
- Implement and automate workflows to store, transform and visualise chemical, pharmacological, structural, biophysical and ADMET data to support project decision making.
- Provide tools to enable curation and annotation of experimental data by lab scientists.
- Automate manual/semi-manual processes across the business to speed up the day-to-day tasks of both experimentalists and data managers within the team.
- Contribute to the maintenance and development of our scientific software and database systems to ensure maximum value can be extracted from our data assets.
- What You'll Bring
- A degree in computer science, chemical or biological sciences.
- Full-stack software engineering experience in a production environment.
- Knowledge of relational database systems, data modelling and SQL.
- Experience following software engineering best-practices including version control, containerisation, CI/CD, code-review and testing.
- Experience working directly with stakeholders across different disciplines to determine requirements (ideally in a life-science setting).
- Strong communication, presentation and collaboration skills.
- Software development experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical sector.
- Prior experience working with experimental drug discovery data (e. g., structural, assay, synthesis information) and data-management/ELN systems.
- Experience using automation/workflow tools such as Prefect, Pipeline Pilot, Knime.
- Knowledge of chemical file formats and chemistry toolkits (e. g., RDKit)
- Hands-on experience using AI coding-assistants or agentic tools (e. g., Claude Code, Cursor, Codex).
What's in it for you?
- State-of-the-art R&D centre located in the heart of the Cambridge science cluster
- Competitive compensation package including discretionary cash bonuses
- 26 days annual leave in addition to public holidays plus the option to purchase an additional 5 days each year
- Employer contribution to pension
- Private Medical Insurance for employees and family and a cash plan for dental and optical reimbursement
- Health and wellbeing benefits including a subsidised individual gym membership
- Income protection to cover long term absences due to ill health
- Group Death in Service equal to 4x basic annual salary
At Nxera Pharma, we are passionate about delivering life-changing medicines to patients.
We foster an open and welcoming environment where everyone can bring their authentic self to work, harnessing our individual strengths to succeed together.
We value our culture rooted in a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and abilities, with a deep sense of belonging. For us, inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative.
We are achieving this through a consistent commitment to fairness, equal opportunity, and equity.
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Scientific Software Engineer in Cambridge employer: Nxera Pharma
Join a pioneering pharmaceutical company that fosters innovation and collaboration in a dynamic, start-up-like environment. As a Computational Chemist/Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI and physics tools, contributing to meaningful drug discovery projects while enjoying a culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With access to state-of-the-art resources and a supportive team, this role offers a unique chance to shape the future of molecular design and make a significant impact in the field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientific Software Engineer in Cambridge
✨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 Nxera Pharma. 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 Nxera Pharma!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientific Software Engineer in Cambridge
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 Nxera Pharma 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 Nxera Pharma.
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 Nxera Pharma 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 Nxera Pharma
✨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 Nxera Pharma. 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 Nxera Pharma'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 Nxera Pharma. This shows your passion for the industry!
