Medicinal Chemist (appointment at Senior Scientist or Principal Scientist level depending on skills and experience)
The Role
LoQus23 Therapeutics is a cutting-edge biotech company targeting DNA damage repair proteins to treat trinucleotide repeat expansion diseases such as Huntington’s disease. We are working with world-class academic scientists and contract research organisations to progress small-molecule therapeutics into the clinic. We have built a platform of assays relevant to key targets and disease biology including Huntington’s and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. We are expanding our team and have an opening for a full-time Medicinal Chemist with significant experience in optimising lead series and delivery of development candidates, preferably including CNS disorders.
The role is based at our offices on the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, where you will work with the LoQus23 team and our network of consultants, collaborators and contract research organisations to drive forward our portfolio of small molecule programmes. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of medicinal chemistry and be able to input into projects in a dynamic and collaborative manner, ensuring that our academic and industrial partners deliver to achieve LoQus23’s goals.
This is a great opportunity to join a small, friendly, and dynamic team at the cutting edge of neurodegeneration drug discovery, and to be involved in projects from very early exploratory work through to clinical development.
Responsibilities
- Support the Head of Chemistry in the implementation of day-to-day chemistry
- Devise medicinal chemistry strategies for each project including chemotype optimisation and generation of chemical tools as appropriate
- Contribute to the strategic direction of LoQus23 and work collaboratively with other members of the team to achieve the company’s goals
- Promote and maintain the highest levels of excellence in medicinal chemistry, with a personal commitment to extend and develop knowledge and expertise
- Help build a strong, working collaboration with our key academic and CRO collaborators to define workplans and drive projects forwards
- Communicate efficiently, interpret and summarise data for presentation to diverse audiences
- Contribute to the identification of potential new projects and partners to support ongoing and new project activities
Experience & Requirements
Essential
- A PhD and minimum of 5 years of relevant industrial experience in drug discovery
- In depth understanding of medicinal chemistry and drug design principles
- Project leadership skills supporting drug discovery projects through preclinical development
- A good understanding of the associated scientific disciplines relevant to drug discovery (e.g., ADME, chemical biology, formulation, structural biology, drug safety/toxicology, IP)
- Experience working with CROs, consultants and academic partners
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
- A team player who proactively and directly communicates and collaborates with other team members
Desirable
- Experience in CNS drug discovery
- Experience of drug discovery in novel target families
Salary & Benefits
- Full-time permanent position
- Competitive salary dependent on skills and prior experience
- Competitive benefits package
- Flexible working hours and opportunity to work from home
To Apply
Please email your application to enquiries@loqus23.com
All applicants should be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK.
Please contact David Hardick for further information on dhardick@loqus23.com
Application deadline: 31 Oct 2024
