About this role
Cancer Research UK seeks an accomplished scientific and people leader for Group Leader in Medicinal Chemistry within the Drug Discovery team. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry and DMPK, you will set the vision, lead a team, and accelerate novel therapies into clinical development. You will contribute to the strategic direction of Chemistry at Cancer Research Horizons.
Lead a high-performing team to deliver excellence in synthetic and medicinal chemistry across the small molecule oncology portfolio. Emphasize early-stage hit identification while bringing late-stage lead optimisation experience to progress drug discovery programmes towards candidate nomination. Work closely with the co-located Target Validation Group.
Operate at the CRUK Scotland Research Institute in a hybrid environment with minimum 3 days per week on-site. Represent the department across therapeutic projects, cross-site initiatives, and externally. Incorporate external collaborations and internal science builds for innovation.
Drive innovation in specific aspects of scientific and technical advancements, including novel modalities aligned to strategic direction. Inspire commitment for preclinical Discovery and ensure equality and diversity in all decisions. Influence stakeholders through effective communication across projects and sites.
Requirements
- PhD or equivalent in Chemistry with significant experience and expertise in medicinal chemistry in a drug discovery environment
- Proven track record of innovative medicinal chemistry design strategies
- Synthetic and medicinal chemistry problem solving within drug discovery programmes
- Experience strengthening early-stage hit identification capabilities
- Significant late-stage lead optimisation experience supporting progression to candidate nomination
- Scientific and people leadership to articulate vision and inspire commitment
- Ability to represent department across therapeutic projects and external initiatives
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific and people leadership to the Chemistry team to drive innovation and portfolio success
- Work at the intersection between medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, mechanistic pharmacology, structural biology and DMPK to define and prosecute hit finding strategies delivering novel chemical equity across challenging target classes
- Contribute to the definition and leadership of departmental strategies
- Communicate effectively to influence multiple stakeholders and collaborate across projects and sites
- Ensure equality and diversity is celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken
- Manage internal expertise, capacity and resources to drive governance and decision-making regarding scientific portfolio support and technology development
Benefits
- Hybrid working - minimum 3 days per week on-site
- Full time, 35 hours per week
- Permanent contract
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