Drug Discovery Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking a talented Drug Discovery Scientist with expertise in Medicinal Chemistry to join their innovative R&D team in Stoke-on-Trent . This role is integral to identifying and synthesizing novel chemical entities with therapeutic potential. You will be responsible for designing, synthesizing, and characterizing new drug candidates, working collaboratively with biologists and pharmacologists to advance projects through the discovery pipeline. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment within the pharmaceutical sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with potential therapeutic activity using modern synthetic chemistry techniques.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using analytical techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate with biologists to establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) and guide lead optimization efforts.
• Plan and execute multi-step synthetic routes for complex target molecules.
• Maintain detailed records of experimental procedures, results, and analyses in electronic lab notebooks.
• Contribute to the scientific strategy and direction of drug discovery programs.

Requirements

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry , Synthetic Organic Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Proven track record in small molecule synthesis and characterization, evidenced by publications and/or patents.
• Hands-on experience with a wide range of synthetic methodologies and purification techniques.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry tools and databases.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery principles and the drug development process.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, hybrid setting .

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
• Hybrid work model promoting work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and opportunities for continued professional development.