The Drug Discovery Division of our partner is currently looking for an Associate Director to join their team and support their development program. This position offers an opportunity to work for a company which is operating in a critical sector of the economy and has a strong and exciting future.

In this role, you will be expected to combine scientific decision-making and organizational leadership to advance small molecule drug discovery campaigns from hit identification through to the development of candidates. With a strong background in medicinal chemistry, including extensive knowledge of synthetic chemistry strategies, you will be recognized as an expert who is innovative and proactive in shaping work and influencing its direction and strategy, contributing to the advancement of important projects by providing synthetic and medicinal chemistry expertise and representing the company where appropriate with client partners, collaborators, regulatory authorities and other bodies as required.

Our partner is a dynamic, fast-growing organisation, with an enviable reputation for leading-edge science, offering contract research services to some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and solving what were believed to be unsolvable scientific challenges. Their team of experts believes in their ability to relentlessly push forward the boundaries of scientific excellence, delivering solutions for their clients, and always operating ethically and with integrity. They take pride in their professionalism and commitment to always deliver their very best work.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. degree in the area of Organic Chemistry or equivalent industrial experience.
• Multi-year experience in world-class small molecule drug discovery organisation(s) with a track record of delivery.
• Demonstrable leadership within small molecule drug discovery programs. Preferably with demonstrable delivery of development compounds that have moved into and through human clinical trials. Track record of scientific publications (papers, patents and posters/oral presentations) commensurate with experience.
• Scientific leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Managing external collaborations.
• Working across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Outstanding knowledge of medicinal chemistry, including the use of structural information, physicochemical properties and multiple parameter optimisation in compound design.
• Knowledge of toxicology, DMPK and chemical concepts relevant to decision-making and drug design.
• Up-to-date knowledge of modern synthetic organic chemistry.

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Ensure successful project and contractual deliverables, from hit-finding to candidate selection of high-quality candidate molecules.
• Provide clear programme strategy and timely, efficient delivery of candidate molecules of exceptional quality through scientific rigour and high-quality compound design, to enable the testing of clear hypotheses.
• Ensure effective collaboration with the client team, our own Discovery team and across other company functions and sites to enhance programme delivery and efficiency.
• Ensure open, timely and transparent communication of program results, plans, strategy and achievements to internal stakeholders including local and global Senior Management.
• To provide support for the scientific and operational needs of the department by the development of new skills and assume responsibility for new capabilities.
• Represent the company with the highest professional standards in client interactions, at scientific conferences, business development events, etc.
• Some travel overseas to partner sites will be required.

Why Should You Apply?

• This is an opportunity for you as a Chemistry professional to make a real impact in a highly scientific and regulated environment and demonstrate leadership, ambition and the desire to grow with the department.
• Build and shape your career in an environment that sets and commits to the highest standards of Chemistry.
• To be part of a team that supports each other, embraces and solves technical challenges and puts excellence at the heart of all that we do.