Medicinal Drug Design Lead, London

Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. Since then, our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed.

Our name comes from the belief that there is an underlying symmetry between biology and information science. By harnessing AI’s powerful capabilities, we can use it to model complex biological phenomena to help design novel molecules, anticipate how drugs will perform and develop innovative medicines to treat and cure some of the world’s most devastating diseases.

We have built a world-leading drug design engine comprising AI models that are capable of working across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. We are continually innovating on model architecture and developing cutting-edge capabilities to advance rational drug design.

Every day, and with each new breakthrough, we’re getting closer to the promise of digital biology, and achieving our ambitious mission to one day solve all disease with the help of AI.

We are a dynamic team of Medicinal Chemists transforming how drugs are designed. By partnering deeply with our AI/ML colleagues, we are doing more than just leveraging the Isomorphic Labs drug design engine - we are actively shaping it. We use our domain expertise to challenge and refine our algorithms, creating a powerful symbiotic relationship that drives our internal and collaborative portfolios. Our team work closely together in a supportive environment, where everyone is valued for their medicinal chemistry expertise and experience they bring to the group. We have a strong growth mindset and prioritise continued development and learning.

As part of the ongoing expansion of our Drug Design and Medical Research function, we are hiring Medicinal Drug Design Leads. You will work as a Chemistry Lead, delivering scientific expertise and strategic direction to fulfil milestone objectives on our portfolio projects. You will support the business alongside world leading AI/ML Drug Design Platform teams, and will work collaboratively to drive improvements in the platform and apply these to impactful drug design projects. Please note that this is a scientific leadership role, where you will take an active hands-on role as an individual contributor rather than being a people manager, although you will support and mentor junior colleagues.

If you are a skilled Medicinal Chemist with a passion for applying cutting-edge technology to complex scientific challenges, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity for impact and growth.

• →Invent new medicines. Rapidly drive drug discovery programs to value inflection points by deploying your knowledge of modern discovery principles and synthetic organic chemistry, taking ownership as a Medicinal Chemistry Lead.
• →Collaborate cross-functionally to support the data-driven delivery of high quality scientific solutions to complex technical problems.
• →Represent the company externally, interacting with existing and prospective collaborators and Contract Research Organisations (CROs).
• →Provide strategic input and technical direction to our AI/ML platform teams.
• →Effectively manage CRO resource and monitor KPIs to maintain delivery.
• →Prepare detailed scientific proposals and reports to support new and ongoing programs. 
• →Embrace and champion our culture of inclusion and continuous professional development.

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, or a related technical field, or equivalent industrial experience.
• 5+ years’ professional experience in a Medicinal Chemistry role, operating within a biotech, pharma or CRO setting.
• Proven track record of leading medicinal chemistry efforts on drug discovery projects, demonstrating significant contributions to project progression (ideally from hit identification through to lead optimisation/candidate nomination), with familiarity of optimisation of DMPK.
• Experience of contributing to structure-based drug design problems. 
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities applied to complex drug discovery challenges.
• Experience of working with and closely managing CRO resources. 
• Strong track record of scientific achievements, evidenced by publications, patents, and presentations.
• A genuine passion for drug discovery and enthusiasm for the potential of AI/ML to transform the field.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative team environment.
• Track record of creative problem solving with a strong growth mindset, adaptability, and eagerness to learn new concepts and techniques.

• Experience of successful application of fragment-based drug design approaches.

We are guided by our shared values. It's not about finding people who think and act in the same way. These values help to guide our work and will continue to strengthen it. 

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