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- Tasks: Drive innovation in drug discovery using AI and computational chemistry.
- Company: Join a high-growth tech company tackling global challenges.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health coverage, and flexible work arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug design with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in computational chemistry.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous learning and growth.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom
Employment Type: Full time
Department: AI Simulation
Compensation: Tier 1 £64K – £96K
At SandboxAQ, we are committed to competitive, equitable, and transparent compensation; we continuously benchmark our salaries and total compensation to premium markets to ensure our competitiveness. Individual pay within the above range is determined by job-related skills, experience, education, and geographic location.
About SandboxAQ
SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors. We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties.
The Opportunity
SandboxAQ’s AI Simulation team develops novel drugs and materials by integrating AI and physics-based computational solutions. Our AQBioSim group seeks a computational chemist who will not only apply cutting-edge methodologies but also critically assess and refine computational approaches. This individual will challenge assumptions, ask "why" when interpreting results, and ensure the reliability and accuracy of findings rather than blindly trusting outputs.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply computational solutions to address unmet drug discovery challenges, questioning assumptions and rigorously validating results.
- Work closely with the development team to enhance SandboxAQ’s unique technology and Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) for large-scale impact.
- Apply SandboxAQ’s computational platform to provide high-value drug discovery solutions while critically evaluating its methodologies and results.
- Translate insights from molecular dynamics, free energy perturbation, molecular docking, quantum, and ML methods into actionable, testable drug discovery hypotheses.
- Collaborate closely with ML experts and cross-functional teams to prototype and scale innovative drug design solutions.
- Develop and deploy computational methods and workflows to generate and evaluate hypotheses, guiding design decisions and influencing project direction.
- Challenge conventional thinking by critically assessing and interpreting computational outputs, ensuring robust scientific conclusions.
- Directly contribute to the discovery of innovative medicines by integrating computational chemistry techniques into multidisciplinary drug discovery teams.
Essential Skills & Experience
- PhD in computational physics, computational chemistry, or a related discipline.
- 3-5 years of relevant experience, including hands-on experience with computational chemistry applied to drug discovery in biotech, pharma, or related industries.
- Excellent communication skills and record of fostering successful internal collaboration and effective external partnerships.
- A deep commitment to critical thinking - comfortable questioning methodologies, challenging assumptions, and refining approaches to improve predictive accuracy.
- A drive to cooperate with colleagues to identify problems and communicate technical solutions clearly and effectively.
- A hands-on mentality & comfortable with getting deep into the technical weeds of highly complex problems.
- Track record of driving projects to completion.
- Proficiency in structure-based drug design and familiarity with ligand-based drug design methods.
- Experience with GPU-accelerated MD codes like OpenMM.
- Experience in the Python data science stack (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, etc.).
- Familiarity with ligand-protein free energy of binding prediction methods such as Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) or similar.
- Experience running computational chemistry/quantum simulations on high-performance computing (GPU) environments for corporate R&D, innovation labs, or academic research.
- A passion for solving scientific problems in chemistry and biology through computational and data-driven methods, with a commitment to rigorous validation and scientific integrity.
- Ability to leverage both experimental and computational data in forming strategic drug discovery approaches.
This is a remote role based in the United Kingdom.
Highly Desired Skills & Experience
- Experience in quantum chemistry and/or protein folding.
Why Join Us?
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work.
SandboxAQ Welcomes All
We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and respect, where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. Our multidisciplinary environment provides ample opportunity for continuous growth – working alongside humble, empowered, and ambitious colleagues ready to tackle epic challenges.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.
Senior Computational Chemist, Drug Discovery (UK) employer: Sandboxaq
Contact Detail:
Sandboxaq Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Computational Chemist, Drug Discovery (UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your problem-solving skills. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you tackle challenges, especially in computational chemistry.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and interests. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to check out our website for roles that excite you and fit your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm and professionalism, which are key traits employers look for.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Computational Chemist, Drug Discovery (UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Computational Chemist role. Highlight your relevant experience in computational chemistry and drug discovery, and don’t forget to showcase any hands-on projects that align with our mission at SandboxAQ.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about computational chemistry and how your skills can contribute to our innovative AI solutions. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!
Showcase Your Critical Thinking: We love candidates who question assumptions and think critically. In your application, share examples of how you've challenged methodologies or improved processes in your previous roles. This will show us you’re a perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at SandboxAQ.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandboxaq
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your computational chemistry knowledge, especially in drug discovery. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies like molecular dynamics and free energy perturbation, as well as your hands-on experience with tools like OpenMM and Python data science libraries.
✨Challenge the Norm
SandboxAQ values critical thinking, so don’t shy away from questioning assumptions during your interview. Prepare examples of how you've challenged conventional methods in your past work and how that led to better outcomes.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with others, whether they were chemists, AI experts, or software engineers. Highlight your communication skills and how you fostered effective partnerships.
✨Be Ready to Dive Deep
Expect technical questions that require you to get into the nitty-gritty of computational methods. Practice explaining complex concepts clearly and concisely, as this will demonstrate your hands-on mentality and ability to tackle intricate problems.