Medicinal Chemistry / Chemical Biology Research Scientist

Medicinal Chemistry / Chemical Biology Research Scientist

Medicinal Chemistry / Chemical Biology Research Scientist

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Posted on: Posted 2 Days Ago

Job Requisition ID: REQ-24560

General Summary:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has an exciting opportunity at the Oxford site for a Research Scientist to join the Chemical Biology team within Medicinal Chemistry.

In this lab-based role, you will be responsible for the design and execution of Chemical Biology experiments to address critical questions for research projects. These could include: designing reagents or tools to evaluate targets; performing experiments to understand compound mechanism of action, target engagement or selectivity; developing novel hit-finding approaches. You will also design and synthesize compounds as part of early drug discovery projects, completing work in a resourceful, timely and self-sufficient manner, to validate hits and advance chemical series towards leads. You will be working as part of an inclusive drug discovery team, in which you will run multiple activities concurrently and adapt to new projects as required.

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to expand your expertise in drug design and knowledge of the holistic drug discovery process through interactions with colleagues across multiple disciplines in our research labs, with supported training and development materials to help you grow your career within the pharmaceutical company.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and perform critical Chemical Biology experiments to assist project teams.
• Design and synthesize small molecules to support hit validation and hit-to-lead efforts.
• Design and synthesize chemical probes/tools to support Chemical Biology experiments.
• Engage, collaborate with, and present data to cross-disciplinary teams from Medicinal Chemistry, Protein Sciences, High Throughput Biology and beyond.
• Engage proactively with project teams to identify opportunities for Chemical Biology to address critical questions.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge on the latest advances in Chemical Biology, and apply them to achieve project goals.
• Contribute to site-wide education in the application of Chemical Biology to drug discovery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Significant practical experience in Chemical Biology relevant to drug discovery (such as, but not limited to, chemical proteomics, target engagement, chemical probe development, novel hit-finding approaches, new chemical modalities, covalent drug discovery).
• Thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of synthetic chemistry (synthesis, purification and analytical characterisation).
• Proven experimental creativity and productivity, with an ability to quickly learn and adopt new concepts and experimental techniques.
• Effective verbal and written communication with scientists from different disciplines.
• An understanding of general concepts in medicinal chemistry and other disciplines related to drug discovery (e.g. pharmacology, ADME, drug safety/toxicology).
• Demonstrate high levels of health and safety awareness, personal integrity and ethics.

Education and Experience:

• PhD (or equivalent degree) in Chemistry, Chemical Biology or related science and 0-3 years of relevant post-doctoral experience, or the equivalent industrial experience.

Company Information:

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

This is an onsite role, requiring 5 days per week in our premises.

Flex Designation:

On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com