Senior Medicinal Chemist

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Medicinal Chemist to join their drug discovery team in Oxford . This role is integral to the design and synthesis of novel small molecules with therapeutic potential, contributing directly to the development of new medicines. You will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment, leveraging your expertise in organic synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis to identify and optimize lead compounds. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record in synthetic chemistry and a passion for driving drug discovery projects forward. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on patient health by contributing to cutting-edge research in the vibrant scientific community of Oxfordshire .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel small molecules targeting key disease pathways.
• Conduct structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize compound potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Plan and execute multi-step organic synthesis routes, troubleshooting challenges effectively.
• Collaborate with biologists, pharmacologists, and computational chemists to define compound profiles and project goals.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.
• Oversee the work of junior chemists and contribute to team strategy and project planning.

Requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in medicinal chemistry, with a focus on drug discovery.
• Strong proficiency in modern synthetic organic chemistry techniques and instrumentation (NMR, LC-MS).
• Proven experience in hit-to-lead optimization and lead candidate selection.
• Familiarity with computational chemistry tools and concepts.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health and pension schemes.
• Opportunity to work in a world-class research environment with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences, training, and publications.
• Collaborative and dynamic team culture focused on scientific innovation and excellence in Oxford .
• Direct contribution to the development of novel therapeutics with the potential to save lives.