Medicinal Chemist

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research organization located in the heart of the Oxford science park, is seeking an innovative and skilled Medicinal Chemist . This role is central to the design, synthesis, and optimization of novel drug candidates targeting unmet medical needs. You will work within a multidisciplinary drug discovery team, contributing your expertise in organic synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) to advance projects from hit identification through to lead optimization. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-impact drug discovery programs in a collaborative and scientifically rigorous environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules with desired pharmacological properties, focusing on medicinal chemistry principles.
• Perform literature searches and utilize computational chemistry tools to guide compound design and prioritize synthetic targets.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles.
• Characterize synthesized compounds using modern analytical techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, pharmacologists, and DMPK scientists to achieve project goals.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to the preparation of research reports and publications.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry, or a Master's degree with significant relevant industry experience.
• A strong track record in organic synthesis and a deep understanding of modern synthetic methodologies.
• Proven experience in drug discovery, with a solid grasp of SAR, ADME properties, and lead optimization strategies.
• Proficiency in the use of analytical instrumentation for compound characterization.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry software is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, bonus potential, and excellent benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge drug discovery projects in a world-class research hub.
• Generous annual leave, private health coverage, and pension contributions.
• Support for professional development, including conference participation and training.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and advanced synthetic equipment.