At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead computational chemistry in drug discovery, applying modern methodologies and collaborating with diverse teams.
- Company: Pharmaron, a global leader in contract research and manufacturing for pharma and biotech.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a strong focus on collaboration and scientific excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative therapies using cutting-edge computational techniques.
- Qualifications: PhD in Computational Chemistry and experience in drug discovery required.
The predicted salary is between 61200 - 74800 £ per year.
Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 29,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the UK, US, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.
We are seeking an Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist in Computational Chemistry to join our growing Integrated Drug Discovery team. This role offers the opportunity to play a leading scientific role across a broad portfolio of client drug discovery programmes, applying modern computational approaches to support compound design and optimisation from hit identification through candidate selection.
Depending on experience and level, you may lead computational activities across multiple projects, act as a subject matter expert within multidisciplinary project teams, contribute to client interactions and help drive the development of new computational capabilities across the organisation.
Working closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, DMPK scientists and project leaders, you will apply computational chemistry, molecular modelling, cheminformatics and AI-enabled approaches to solve challenging drug discovery problems and deliver impactful scientific outcomes.
The Role
- Lead computational chemistry activities across integrated drug discovery projects from hit finding through lead optimisation and candidate selection.
- Design, evaluate and prioritise compounds using molecular modelling, structure-based drug design, virtual screening and cheminformatics approaches.
- Apply modern computational methodologies including AI/ML, molecular modelling and data-driven design strategies to support project progression.
- Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, biology and DMPK colleagues to guide compound design and decision making.
- Act as a key scientific contributor within multidisciplinary project teams.
- Present scientific recommendations and project updates to colleagues, collaborators and client partners.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new computational workflows, tools and scientific capabilities.
- Mentor junior team members and contribute to knowledge sharing across the computational sciences group.
- Support scientific proposals, publications, conference presentations and business development activities.
About You
- PhD in Computational Chemistry, Molecular Modelling, Theoretical Chemistry or a related discipline.
- Significant experience in computational drug discovery within pharmaceutical, biotechnology or CRO environments.
- Strong track record supporting drug discovery programmes from hit identification through lead optimisation.
- Experience applying structure-based drug design, molecular modelling, cheminformatics and related computational approaches.
- Exposure to AI/ML methodologies within drug discovery is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry and multidisciplinary drug discovery.
- Experience working effectively within cross-functional project teams.
- Excellent communication and scientific presentation skills.
Key Skills
- Deep understanding of computational chemistry and its application within drug discovery.
- Strong knowledge of medicinal chemistry, biology and DMPK integration.
- Ability to apply computational approaches to guide compound design and optimisation.
- Experience interpreting complex scientific data and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
- Ability to manage multiple scientific priorities in a collaborative environment.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Why Join Pharmaron?
- Work across a diverse portfolio of innovative drug discovery programmes.
- Apply cutting-edge computational chemistry, cheminformatics and AI-enabled technologies.
- Collaborate with world-class scientists across multiple disciplines.
- Flexible UK remote working environment.
- Opportunity to influence the progression of novel therapies from discovery towards the clinic.
Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist – Computational Chemistry employer: Pharmaron Biologics
Pharmaron is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry. As the Head of Partnerships, you'll have the opportunity to shape strategic relationships with leading global clients while benefiting from competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and robust employee growth opportunities within a fast-growing organisation. Join us in driving innovation and delivering high-quality services that support the development of life-changing therapies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist – Computational Chemistry
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Pharmaron Biologics, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Pharmaron Biologics. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist – Computational Chemistry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Pharmaron Biologics. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Pharmaron Biologics. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharmaron Biologics
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Pharmaron Biologics. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Pharmaron Biologics to drive research projects forward.
