Research Leader / Senior Scientist (Computational Drug Design), Cambridge, MA

The role

You will provide scientific expertise and strategic direction for portfolio drug discovery projects. You will work with machine learning scientists to enhance an AI platform and execute drug design programs.

What you will do

• Apply AI-first approaches to provide technical and strategic directions and execute drug design programs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support data-driven delivery of scientific solutions.
• Establish principles for embedding AI/ML into computational chemistry workflows.
• Provide strategic input and technical direction to ML platform teams.
• Oversee external collaborations with CROs and lead programs to meet milestones if in Program Leadership.
• Prepare detailed scientific proposals and reports.
• Line manage and mentor a team of 2-3 Computational Chemists for certain roles.

Required qualifications

• PhD in Computational Chemistry, or a related scientific field, or equivalent industrial experience.
• 8+ / 5+ years of professional experience in a Computational Drug Design role within a biotech, pharma or CRO setting.
• Proven track record of project leadership or leading computational chemistry efforts on drug discovery programs.
• Expertise in writing and implementing Python scripts for analysis and tool development, and/or utilising pipelining tools.
• Strong track record of scientific achievements evidenced by publications, patents, and presentations.
• Excellent communication, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of leading a high-performing scientific team for people or program management positions.

Nice to have

• Prior experience leveraging machine learning and generative AI methods for hit finding, molecular design and lead optimisation.
• Knowledge of fragment-based drug design (FBDD) and alternative modalities like PROTACs, molecular glues, PPI inhibitors or stabilisers, peptides etc.
• Understanding of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (ADME + DMPK) principles.
• Fluency in Python with ability to write code for new tools.
• Track record of authorship of relevant scientific manuscripts and/or inventorship of composition of matter patents.
• Experience working with or managing activities at contract research organisations (CROs).

About the company

Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. The company uses AI to model complex biological phenomena to design novel molecules and develop medicines.