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- Tasks: Lead innovative drug discovery research at the intersection of chemistry and biology.
- Company: Join a prestigious university with a focus on cutting-edge drug discovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while developing your research career.
- Qualifications: Strong background in chemistry and interest in molecular technologies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art labs and resources.
The predicted salary is between 47389 - 56535 £ per year.
The Departments of Life Sciences and Chemistry invite applications for a Prize Fellowship in Drug Discovery, an exceptional opportunity for an emerging research leader to develop an independent, internationally recognised programme at the interface of chemistry and biology. The position will be run as a joint appointment across the two departments.
This prestigious Fellowship is aligned with the new Centre for Drug Discovery (CDD), a cross-faculty initiative bringing together chemists, biologists, data scientists and engineers to accelerate drug discovery through innovation in synthesis, screening, computation and translation. CDD will focus on emerging modalities and enabling technologies from cyclic small molecules, peptides, antibodies and macrocycles that explore new 3D chemical space, to AI-guided synthesis, flow automation and direct-to-biology screening. By coupling Bath's strengths in synthetic chemistry, chemical and structural biology, and advanced delivery science, the Centre will provide a distinctive environment for developing next-generation molecular tools and therapeutic leads.
We seek a creative and collaborative scientist tackling fundamental challenges in contemporary drug discovery, ideally with a strong grounding in chemistry and an interest in applying molecular or computational technologies to biological problems.
While we encourage applications from a range of backgrounds, we particularly welcome candidates whose research aligns with one or more of the following areas:
- Medicinal chemistry for emerging modalities such as peptides, molecular glues, PROTACs, ADCs or covalent inhibitors
- Innovative screening approaches, e.g. DNA-encoded libraries, affinity-selection mass spectrometry, chemoproteomics or AI/ML-driven virtual screening
- Computational drug discovery, including molecular design, macrocycle conformations, docking, or predictive models for permeability and pharmacokinetics
The Bath Prize Fellowship offers three years of protected research time and the opportunity for a permanent academic appointment, subject to performance. Fellows will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories for automation, high-throughput synthesis, compound screening and advanced computation, and will join a vibrant cross-faculty community engaging with industry, the regional GW4 innovation network and an opportunity to benefit from the South-West Life Science network.
Drug discovery at Bath is driven by close integration between the Departments of Life Sciences and Chemistry, uniting expertise in peptide design, synthetic chemistry, chemoproteomics and computational modelling. Core strengths include chemical and structural biology, pharmacology and antibiotic discovery, with projects spanning early-stage molecular design through to pre-clinical mechanism-of-action studies.
Life Sciences provides cutting-edge laboratories for molecular and cellular biology, microbiology and pharmaceutical sciences, including tissue-culture suites, automated liquid handling and a zebrafish facility for in vivo pharmacology. Chemistry complements this with world-class infrastructure for automated and flow synthesis, compound characterisation (MS, NMR, DReaM Facility) and access to Bath's High-Performance Computing and AI/ML platforms for virtual screening and molecular design. Both departments have a strong track record in innovation with a number of spin-out companies.
Together, these resources offer an exceptional environment for innovative researchers to develop and test new approaches to molecular discovery.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Scott Lovell, Life Sciences or Dr Alex Cresswell, Chemistry, co-leads of the Bath Centre for Drug Discovery. Please ensure applications are submitted via the University's online system. Alongside the online form, please upload a full CV.
We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive working environment for all staff, including mentorship and flexible working arrangements. The Departments of Life Science, Chemistry and the University currently hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, and we are working to further improve equality, diversity and inclusion for the benefit of all staff. If you would like to discuss any issues or other aspects of the working environment with a member of staff who is not involved in the recruitment process, please contact Prof Stephen Husbands, Director of Research in the Department of Life Sciences.
We are continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us, and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work-life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities, including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits on our website and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work, as well as following us on X and LinkedIn.
We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship, and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.
We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
Prize Fellow in Drug Discovery in Taunton employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prize Fellow in Drug Discovery in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of drug discovery, especially those connected to the University of Bath. Attend relevant events or webinars and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the latest trends in drug discovery. Brush up on topics like AI-guided synthesis and innovative screening approaches. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate expert ready to contribute to their cutting-edge research.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your research interests and how they align with the Centre for Drug Discovery’s goals. A clear, confident presentation of your ideas can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the amazing benefits we offer at the University of Bath.
We think you need these skills to ace Prize Fellow in Drug Discovery in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in drug discovery and related fields. We want to see how your background aligns with the exciting work happening at the Centre for Drug Discovery.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about drug discovery and how your research interests fit with our goals. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm show!
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: Since this role involves working across departments, emphasise your collaborative experiences. We love seeing examples of how you've worked with others to tackle complex problems in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our online system! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Research
Dive deep into your own research and be ready to discuss how it aligns with the Centre for Drug Discovery's focus areas. Be prepared to explain your methodologies and the impact of your work on drug discovery, especially in relation to emerging modalities like peptides or AI-driven screening.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
This role emphasises collaboration across disciplines. Prepare examples of past collaborative projects, highlighting how you worked with chemists, biologists, or data scientists. Discuss how you can contribute to a vibrant cross-faculty community and what unique perspectives you bring.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions about the fellowship, the departments, and their future directions. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if this is the right fit for you.
✨Practice Your Pitch
You’ll want to articulate your vision for an independent research programme clearly. Practice summarising your research interests and future goals succinctly, ensuring you convey your passion for drug discovery and how you plan to innovate within the field.