Medicinal Chemistry Research Scientist

Medicinal Chemistry Research Scientist, 18-month contract

Company Name: Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Type of Role: Contract position, Inside IR35

Contract length: 18 months

Location: On-site, 5 days a week (Milton Park R&D, Abingdon Oxon)

Department: Medicinal Chemistry

Looking for opportunities with purpose, impact and possibilities? Our client, Vertex, is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. As they grow their pipeline at pace, they are strengthening their reputation for creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

General Summary:

Vertex are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic organic chemist to join their growing Medicinal Chemistry team as a Research Scientist at their Milton Park R&D site in Oxford.

This lab-based role involves designing and synthesizing compounds for biological testing, completing work in a resourceful, timely and self-sufficient manner.

You will be working as part of an inclusive drug discovery team innovating to develop transformative medicines for patients.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry, with an understanding of the fundamentals of theoretical and practical aspects of synthetic chemistry.

As a member of the medicinal chemistry 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 their research labs.

Supported training and development materials will help you grow your career within the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, execution and optimisation of multi-step organic synthetic routes to access small molecules for biological testing.
• Collate, interpret and present complex data, summarising results into clear conclusions?and/or recommendations to influence project outcomes.
• Exercise strong judgement to prioritise work, considering feasibility, priorities and project impact.
• Use contemporary and relevant scientific literature and routinely incorporate new insights into research activities.

Key Skills

• Thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of synthetic chemistry (synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization).
• Up-to-date knowledge of the the current organic chemistry literature and proficient in the use of web-based tools for searching scientific databases.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication, collaboration, and time management skills.
• Passion for creativity, innovation and problem-solving.
• Demonstrate high levels of health and safety awareness, personal integrity and ethics.

Desired skills

• An appreciation of medicinal chemistry.
• Awareness of related scientific disciplines (e.g. pharmacology, ADME, drug safety/toxicology)

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Chemistry at BSc/MSc level and a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, or the equivalent industrial experience.

Vertex is partnering with Talent Works to manage their international temporary job openings. If you are successful in your application, you will be employed by Talent Works to work on a temporary assignment at Vertex.