At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead medicinal chemistry for innovative cancer drug discovery and optimise small-molecule compounds.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and health support services.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and collaboration opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer research with world-class scientists and cutting-edge facilities.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in drug discovery and strong leadership skills in multidisciplinary teams.
Details of the role:
- Reporting to: Joanna Redmond, Head of Chemical Biology STP
- Working pattern: This is a full-time, fixed term (18-month) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment
- Salary: From £57,230 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
- Application closing date: 26th of August 2026 at 23.59pm
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
The Program
This exciting research project is a cross-Francis Crick Institute collaboration focused on translating groundbreaking discoveries from Dr Simon Boulton's Double Strand Break (DSB) Metabolism Laboratory into new cancer therapies. The programme of work has since evolved into the Crick spin-out company ALTx. This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering drug discovery programme translating groundbreaking cancer research into potential new therapies. Working within a unique academia-industry collaboration, you will contribute to the development of novel treatments targeting Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)-positive cancers, a particularly challenging group of cancers with significant unmet medical need. Supported by substantial philanthropic and venture capital funding, the programme brings together world-leading experts in DNA damage repair, chemical biology and drug discovery to progress innovative science from target validation through to candidate selection. This work is funded by a multi-million-pound translation grant from the Crick's philanthropic Chris Banton fund, as well as seed-investment from a leading UK-based Venture Capital (VC) company.
About the role
We are recruiting for a Senior Medicinal Chemist to play a key role in leading the Medicinal Chemistry for a drug discovery program and to join the ALT project team at the Francis Crick Institute. As part of a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary team, you will lead the medicinal chemistry strategy for a priority drug discovery programme, driving the design, optimisation and progression of compounds towards candidate selection. Working closely with colleagues across biology, computational chemistry, pharmacology, DMPK and structural biology, you will use complex data sets to make informed scientific decisions and shape compound optimisation strategies. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, innovative medicinal chemist with a strong track record of drug discovery in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in lead optimisation and the progression of small molecule discovery programmes towards candidate selection. You will bring scientific expertise, commercial awareness and a hands-on approach, balancing compound design and external CRO management with practical laboratory contributions where needed. Thriving in a fast paced, dynamic environment, you will be a flexible and open-minded scientist who enjoys solving complex challenges and working as part of an integrated academia-industry team to deliver impactful drug discovery outcomes.
What you will be doing
- Leadership of the medicinal chemistry for one of the two high priority ALT targets
- Driving the design, synthesis, and optimisation of small-molecule compounds from initial hits through lead optimisation to candidate-quality molecules
- Oversight and management of synthetic chemistry activities conducted at external CROs, including setting priorities, reviewing data and ensuring high-quality chemistry, combined with timely delivery
- Interpretation of SAR, structural, pharmacology, and DMPK data to guide compound design and prioritisation
- Working closely with biology, pharmacology, DMPK, computational and structural biology teams to ensure integrated decision-making
- Supporting compound selection for in vivo studies and candidate nomination decisions
- Extensive experience in small-molecule drug discovery, with a strong track record of progressing compounds from hit identification through lead optimisation to candidate-quality molecules
- A deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles, including SAR development, compound optimisation for potency, selectivity, and drug-like properties
- Experience in leading medicinal chemistry efforts within multidisciplinary project teams
- Proven ability to successfully manage and direct synthetic chemistry activities at external CROs
- Ability to interpret and integrate chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and DMPK data to guide compound design and progression decisions
- Understanding of structural biology and computational chemistry to support structure-guided drug design
About Working at the Crick
Our values Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture. We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email:
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:
- Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- 24/7 GP consultation services.
- Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance
- Childcare support allowance.
- Annual leave purchase options.
- Crick Networks offering diverse groups' support, community and inclusive social events.
- Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Principal Laboratory Research Scientist Medicinal Chemist employer: The Francis Crick Institute Limited
The Francis Crick Institute offers an exceptional environment for postdoctoral fellows, combining cutting-edge research with a strong commitment to mentorship and career development. Located in London, the DiFrisco Lab provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating atmosphere that encourages innovation and personal growth. With generous funding for research expenses and opportunities for training, this role is ideal for those looking to make significant contributions to the field of developmental biology while being part of a diverse and inclusive community.
Contact Details:
The Francis Crick Institute Limited Recruitment Team
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