Senior / Lead Computational Chemist

Background

Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada with its headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, includes 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech and NFP organisations.

Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 40 novel pre-clinical and 22 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 170 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, fibrotic diseases and more. To find out more, please visit www.sygnaturediscovery.com.

Job purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior or Lead Computational Chemist to join our Computational Chemistry group in either Alderley Park (UK) or Montreal (Canada). This is a hybrid role, with an expectation to be in the office 3- 4 times per week.

Our Computational Chemists play a pivotal role in driving cutting-edge research, utilising the latest scientific software and cloud-based technology to solve complex challenges for clients worldwide.

As an experienced Computational Chemist, you will bring broad expertise in drug discovery and compound design.  This is a project-driven role and you will be able to demonstrate your experience having worked on numerous drug discovery projects across multiple target families. This might include virtual screening and lead identification, hit-to-lead and lead optimisation projects.  While experience in fragment-based design projects is desirable, it is not essential.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a world-leading CRO, where you will collaborate on high-impact projects for top-tier clients while advancing your career in a dynamic and innovative environment.

• Work on integrated drug discovery projects with some of the most high-profile global biotech and pharma companies.
• Chance to train and develop expertise using the latest AI/ML software.
• Learn about and apply new and emerging free energy methods on project datasets.
• Be involved with a range of new modalities such as PROTACs, molecular glues, macrocycles and other beyond-rule-of-5 compounds.
• Develop drug discovery knowledge by formal training and project experience.
• Be part of an expanding group at the forefront of applying new software and techniques to drug discovery projects.

• You will have a PhD in computational chemistry or a related discipline.
• You will have worked on structure-based design projects and be familiar with this approach to optimise ligand binding. 
• You will have experience of ligand-based design including development of ML or QSAR models. This would include core/fragment replacement work and focussed library design.
• Familiarity with SAR analysis of project data sets and calculation of ADME/Tox relevant properties.
• You will have carried out virtual screening, either using protein X-ray structures or a ligand-based method.
• Protein sequence analysis and homology modelling - experience of multiple sequence alignment and homology modelling across numerous protein classes, including GPCRs, would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with data pipelining tools and an ability to script in python is preferred.

Benefits

Here at Sygnature Discovery, we take pride in offering an excellent training and benefits package. As a valued employee, you will be entitled to:

- 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays, and buy/sell scheme

- Private Medical Insurance

- Life Insurance

- Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders

- Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

- Sygnature Group Pension Scheme

- 1 paid volunteer day per year

- A host of flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle

Why Sygnature Discovery

At Sygnature Discovery, we embody excellence in everything we do. From pioneering research to ground-breaking discoveries, we set the standard for scientific innovation. But it's collaboration that truly defines us. Across continents and disciplines, we unite to solve complex challenges, driven by a shared passion for improving lives worldwide.

We understand the importance of creating a work environment that empowers you to thrive. That’s why we have fostered a culture of collaboration and support, providing pathways for both professional and personal development. This includes a diverse range of bespoke training and development designed to accelerate both your personal and career growth.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion throughout our organisation. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, age, family or parental status, beliefs, nationalities and religions. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where all our colleagues feel empowered to bring their true selves to work.

If you’re interested in joining a company that places people at the heart of its business, please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing on an ongoing basis.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@sygnaturediscovery.com. Please do not submit your application to this email address. 

For more information on life at Sygnature Discovery, visit www.sygnaturediscovery.com/careers