Group Leader – Medicinal Chemistry

Job title:

Group Leader – Medicinal Chemistry

Company

Cancer Research UK

Job description

Collaborative concepting. Shared expertise. Leading-edge learnings.Medicinal Chemistry Group LeaderSalary: From £67,200 – £76,000 per annum depending on experienceReports to: Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry and DMPKDepartment: Research and InnovationContract: PermanentHours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible working requests considered if they meet business needs)Location: Babraham Research Campus, CambridgeClosing date: Thursday 29th August 2024 at 23.55This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possibleAt Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone determined, someone like you.We currently have an exciting opportunity within our Drug Discovery team for an experienced individual to help lead and drive our Medicinal Chemistry strategy as we start to implement our new 5-year plan.We are seeking an accomplished scientific and people leader who can articulate a vision for our mission and set direction and inspire commitment for preclinical Discovery.About CRUK Drug DiscoveryAs the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of world class biology, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.Based at the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, the Milner Institute in Cambridge, Granta Park in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, the Francis Crick Institute in London, and Newcastle University, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds.What will I be doing?Leading and drive a high-performing team to provide all aspects of Medicinal ChemistryProviding Scientific and People leadership, to drive innovation and portfolio success: eading internal expertise, capacity and resources to drive governance and decision-making regarding scientific portfolio support and technology development.Contributing to the strategic leadership within the Medicinal Chemistry and DMPK group, as well as the overall Therapeutic Innovation research strategyWorking at the intersection between medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, mechanistic pharmacology, structural biology & DMPK, to define and prosecute hit finding strategies that deliver novel chemical equity across a range of challenging target classesDelivering compounds suitable for nomination as pre-IND candidatesLeading drug discovery projects where appropriate.Be a recognised and passionate leader, able to represent the department across a broad range of therapeutic projects and cross-site initiatives, both internally as well as externally.Ensuring equality and diversity is celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken.What skills will I need?PhD in Chemistry, or equivalent experienceSignificant experience and expertise in medicinal chemistry in a drug discovery environment, including Lead Optimisation and Candidate deliveryStrong external reputation in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, evidenced through wide personal network, external presentations, publication in high-impact journals and patent applicationsExcellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with strong influence and leadership skills.Significant experience in developing and leading a diverse world-class team, whilst working in a highly matrixed discovery project environment.Significant experience of establishing and leading external academic and industrial collaborations, and technology change projects.Track record of delivering results across a diverse project portfolio by driving strategic and scientific initiatives.Confidence and credibility to work at the intersection between mechanistic pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry & DMPK to define and prosecute strategies that deliver impactful insight across a range of challenging target classes, through to clinical dose prediction.Future-orientated and strategic in thinking style.Excellent communication skills, ability to influence multiple stakeholders and collaborate across projects and sites.A passion for promotion of scientific excellence, through external publication, presentations etc.Excellent team-working skills combined with cross-functional knowledge.What will I gain?Every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies, and processes to enable you to do your job well.Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.How do I apply?We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.Please note: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.

Expected salary

£67200 – 76000 per year

Location

Cambridge – Babraham, Cambridgeshire

Job date

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:01:45 GMT

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