Computational Chemist (Senior Scientist I/ Senior Scientist II) in Oxford

Job type: Full-time

Location: Oxford, with hybrid working options available

Salary: Competitive salary

Right to work: You must have the right to work in the UK

Application deadline: 10th April

OMass Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Oxford discovering medicines against highly-validated target ecosystems, such as membrane proteins or intracellular complexes. The company’s unique OdyssION™ technology platform comprises novel biochemistry techniques, next-generation native mass spectrometry and custom formatted compound libraries for ultra-high throughput screening. OMass is advancing a pipeline of small molecule therapeutics in rare diseases and immunological conditions, that target solute carriers, complex-bound proteins, and GPCRs, with biophysical platform technologies at the core of drug discovery.

We are seeking a Computational Chemist. You will be part of a dynamic and innovative environment and will become an integral part of our vision to address patients’ unmet needs while building Britain’s Biggest Biotech. You will use your cheminformatics/computational chemistry expertise and scientific curiosity to solve drug discovery challenges, as part of multi-disciplinary project teams. You will be able to work in state-of-the-art laboratory and modern facilities for optimum collaboration alongside a focused and caring team. You will already possess expert Computational Chemistry knowledge with experience in both Ligand and Structure-Based Design with industry experience in small molecule drug discovery.

Essential Experience, Skills and Qualities

• Ph.D. in cheminformatics/computational chemistry or equivalent industrial experience.
• A significant amount of relevant industry experience in small molecule drug discovery across multiple projects from hit finding to candidate selection.
• An appreciation of relevant scientific disciplines that are related to drug discovery and early development such as target validation, pharmacology, generative molecular design approaches, SBDD, LBDD, ADME modelling, structural biology and drug safety/toxicology.
• Proficiency in scientific scripting for prototyping workflows (e.g., Python, Java, C++), enabling the delivery of project specific outputs such as executing virtual screens.
• Proficient with classical machine/deep learning model development.
• Innovative and ambitious mindset, with an inquisitive and agile approach to problem-solving and overcoming technical challenges; motivated to continuously learn and take on challenges.
• Caring and inclusive; respectful and receptive to others’ diverse ideas, experience and perspectives, and enjoys working collaboratively with others as a team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience of working across multiple target-types including membrane bound GPCRs & solute carriers and soluble proteins.
• Familiarity with Dotmatics and Schrodinger software suites in addition to a sound knowledge of chemical toolkits (e.g. RDKit) is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to critically assess and communicate QSAR/ machine learning model limitations, uncertainty, and suitability for program use.
• Experience centred on lead optimisation and later stage project cycles, with the capability to independently lead the computational elements of the design–make–test–analyse (DMTA) cycle.
• Experience of working in a matrix team.

Role Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain the highest levels of scientific excellence in computational chemistry, to help deliver OMass’ pipeline objectives.
• Contribute to drug discovery projects by proactively applying cheminformatics and computational chemistry techniques to drive programs forward, providing hands‑on program support and scientific partnership to project teams.
• Support and upskill project medicinal chemists by delivering training, coaching and practical guidance in computational chemistry approaches, tools and best practices.
• Publish science in high quality journals and publications.
• Give presentations on OMass’ projects both at internal meetings and externally at conferences.
• Foster collaborations with academia to help ensure that the team operates at the highest levels of scientific excellence.
• Share information openly and work collaboratively with other departments to help advance different projects and achieve company goals.
• Promote and adhere to OMass’ values of being Ambitious, Responsible, Innovative, Focused, Caring and Collaborative.

Benefits

• Private Health Insurance
• Health and wellbeing cashback scheme
• Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Participation in Employee Equity Scheme
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Pension Scheme offering 6% employer contribution
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Company social events

Any queries relating to the role can be sent to hr@omass.com. OMass Therapeutics values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity, we also have full responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to work and live in the UK.