At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative computational chemistry projects and drive drug discovery strategies.
- Company: Join Pharmaron, a global leader in drug development and manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career advancement and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery with cutting-edge technology and global collaboration.
- Qualifications: PhD in Computational Chemistry and 10+ years in drug discovery required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: UK – Remote
About Pharmaron
Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 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're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers.
Pharmaron is looking for a Senior Principal Scientist / Director – Computational Chemistry to lead on the design and optimisation of multi-modality ligands within our Integrated Drug Discovery programmes and help shape our Computational Sciences capability. This is a senior role requiring scientific excellence, and client engagement to drive integrated, multi-modality drug discovery programmes.
The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities, we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding, through to IND filing.
Working closely with our partners, we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and, with an AI enabled accelerated Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycle, support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.
The Role
- Lead Computational Sciences design strategy across a diverse portfolio of discovery projects from hit expansion through lead optimisation.
- Design, evaluate, and prioritize molecules for synthesis using a complete suite of computational tools.
- Provide scientific leadership to multidisciplinary project teams from hit-finding to candidate selection.
- Drive the application of modern CADD approaches (AI/ML, SBDD, cheminformatic) across small molecule and other modalities.
- Build and enhance computational infrastructure, tools and capabilities.
- Collaborate closely with global Computational Chemistry teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Build and strengthen client relationships, supporting business growth and long-term collaborations.
- Contribute to departmental strategy, innovation, capability development and business proposals.
- Represent Pharmaron externally, enhancing reputation within the Computational Sciences and broader drug discovery communities.
About You
- PhD in Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Molecular Modelling or related discipline.
- 10+ years’ experience in computational drug discovery (Pharma, Biotech or CRO).
- Proven track record delivering impact across drug discovery pipelines and key milestones.
- Expertise across CADD approaches, including SBDD, AI/ML and cheminformatics.
- Experience working across modalities (small molecules, peptides, biologics, emerging platforms).
- Strong publication and/or patent record.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and external collaborations.
- Excellent communication skills.
Key Skills
- Deep knowledge of computational chemistry in drug discovery.
- Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry, biology and DMPK integration.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder influencing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex programmes in parallel.
Key Attributes
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into execution.
- Inspirational leader and team developer.
- Collaborative, adaptable and culturally aware.
- Results-driven with strong client focus.
- Passionate about innovation, continuous learning and scientific excellence.
Why Join Pharmaron?
- Lead cutting-edge computational science within a global CRO.
- Influence strategy, capability build and scientific direction.
- Work on diverse, high-impact discovery programmes.
- Collaborate with world-class global teams.
If you're ready to take a leadership role in advancing cheminformatics and computational chemistry, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary: Competitive
Frequency: Annual
Job Reference: ukpharmaron/TP/141/688
Contract Type: Permanent Contract
Closing Date: No expiry date
Job Category: Scientific (CADD)
Division: Drug Discovery
Location: Hoddesdon, United Kingdom
Posted on: 11 June, 2026
Senior Principal Scientist / Director – Computational Chemistry (IDD) in Hoddesdon employer: Pharmaron Biologics
Pharmaron is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff where you can thrive as a Quality and EHS Advisor. With a strong focus on employee development, our supportive Compliance team encourages growth through diverse responsibilities in quality assurance and environmental health and safety. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical industry while enjoying competitive benefits and a collaborative culture that values your contributions.
