Discovery & Medicinal Chemistry

PhD discipline: Any Chemistry discipline

Though the boundaries are blurred, our chemists in this area fall into three groups: medicinal chemists who design new compounds - the active ingredients in pharmaceutical products; physical chemists who support the design process using computational chemistry and modern spectroscopic techniques;  and synthetic organic chemists who take those virtual ideas and convert them into testable compounds in bottles.

Opportunities for PhD chemists are available in all of the above areas. And all lead to a variety of exciting roles. As you enhance your skills, further your experience and progress to the level of senior chemist, you'll generally work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. By this time, you'll have developed a broad understanding of the entire development process and will contribute even more to the invention of new products.

PhD opportunities at Charnwood, Leicestershire:

As a Ph.D. Chemist you would join an existing chemistry effort, part of a multi-disciplinary Project Team. You will be expected to apply modern synthetic methods to access novel biological compounds and play a leading role in defining the chemical program. You will develop and supervise other staff and collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines to influence Project strategy. You will be expected to advance scientific thinking within the department and contribute externally through publications in the peer reviewed literature. Your aspiration will be to become a Team Leader within the department, a demanding role managing people and science to meet Project objectives. We will provide support and training to help you achieve that ambition.

PhD opportunities at Alderley Park, Cheshire:

Senior Research Scientist

The purpose of the job is to design and carry out the syntheses of compounds for biological test. The chemist works as part of a team made up of a team leader who is broadly responsible for the design of the target biologically active compounds and 1-3 chemists who design and carry out the syntheses of these compounds.You will be expected to publish and report scientific progress, and run CASE award programmes.The skills required for this job are a sound knowledge of synthetic reagents and techniques, a thorough grasp of synthetic route design, good planning and organisational skills, good problem solving abilities and of course, good practical skills. The chemist is expected to have a keen interest in organic chemistry and to keep abreast of the latest developments.

Associate Team Leader

In the Associate Team Leader Role you will be involved in the conception, design and synthesis of biologically active compounds. A key role will be influencing the choice and direction of projects: you will be expected to interact with colleagues from other disciplines and actively contribute to project discussions. The role will also involve the management and supervision and development of both temporary and permanent staff. You will be expected to publish and report scientific progress, and run CASE award programmes. Although similar scientific skills are required for this position there is a greater emphasis on managing others at an earlier stage and in taking decisions affecting the direction of projects than in the Senior Research Scientist role.

Applicants to Alderley Park will be considered for both the Associate Team Leader and Senior Research Scientist roles. One interview process will cover both roles.