Senior / Principal Scientist Medicinal Chemistry

Peptone Introduction

Peptone is a category-defining translational biophysics company focusing on the intersection of physics, biology, chemistry and supercomputing. We will bridge the data gap between folded and disordered proteins and will create a new category for itself, vastly expanding the druggable space. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) differ from folded proteins due to their ability to adopt different conformations. We created Oppenheimer, a platform that combines bespoke ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry experiments with molecular simulation and AI to target IDPs with unprecedented levels of detail and enable rational drug design.

We have created a company culture that is based on scientific and personal integrity and a highly supportive, inclusive attitude.

Our curiosity and drive stem from the shared passion to contribute to our scientific understanding of proteins and to translate these insights into reality by developing drugs that make people's lives better.

Situation and Context

Peptone has made substantial advances in the capability to understand IDPs and has enabled drug discovery of small molecules to validate biological targets for highly valued cancer indications. We see the opportunity to expand capabilities in small-molecule discovery and are seeking leadership in the chemistry department.

Overview of Role

Working with the existing members of the Chemistry Department and various UK and overseas Contract Research Organizations (CROs), the successful applicant will be responsible for driving medicinal chemistry projects and coordinating synthetic chemistry activities to ensure the delivery of high-quality small molecule development candidates within competitive timeframes, while safeguarding the Company's intellectual property by advancing its patent estate.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage remote teams of medicinal and synthetic chemists at CROs efficiently.
• Integrate project biology, DMPK, safety and toxicology data to enable successful hit-to-lead and lead optimization campaigns through outstanding molecular design.
• Work with external patent attorneys and Contract Research Organizations to drive IP portfolio.
• Work collaboratively within the Company's project teams, with colleagues in biology, biophysics and computational sciences and with external collaborators such that objectives are met promptly through the development of effective project plans.
• Communicate strategies effectively, interpret and summarize complex data for presentation to different audiences.
• Prioritize work according to project goals and take responsibility for the timely delivery of objectives.
• Keep up to date with state-of-the-art technologies and knowledge of developments in medicinal chemistry and project-related areas of immunometabolism.

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry with a strong track record of delivery and a breadth/depth of experience in an industrial drug discovery environment.
• 5+ years of drug discovery experience.
• Good knowledge of synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
• Managing remote teams of medicinal and synthetic chemists at Contract Research Organisations.
• Exceptional knowledge of synthetic and medicinal chemistries supplemented by a solid understanding of biological signalling pathways, structure-based drug design and ADME optimization in drug discovery.
• Experienced in many elements of the preclinical drug discovery process from target selection and hit identification, through hit-to-lead and lead optimization, to the delivery of development candidates.
• Experience of driving compound progressions with modelling techniques.

Highly Desired

• Experience of managing remote teams of medicinal and synthetic chemists at Contract Research Organizations.
• Inventorship on patent applications exemplifying biologically important molecules.
• Experience in optimizing ADME in small molecule projects.
• Prior experience in oncology and/or immunology.
• Experience in structure-based drug design in drug discovery.
• Experience in cheminformatics and related modelling approaches.
• Demonstrable use of SBDD to progress projects through the application of docking/modelling software. Familiarity with PyMOL and similar modelling programs.
• Working in a fast-paced, virtual, "start-up" environment.
• Experience in assessing the patent landscape and driving patent filings to protect the Company's intellectual property.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and a track record of presenting at scientific conferences.

Ideal Candidate

• Ph.D. in synthetic/medicinal/computational chemistry.
• 5+ years of industry experience with clear evidence of strong leadership skills.
• A track record of achievement in the delivery of small molecules to clinical development.
• Experience in biology, particularly in the analysis of relevant assays to drive drug discovery.
• Expertise of computational modelling approaches of small molecule docking (and MD), cheminformatics and ML models.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory.

Corporate Climate

Default to Transparency: We view transparency as a lifestyle of authenticity, respect, and honesty. As a team, we view transparency as an effective way to work remotely and establish a culture of trust.

Cultivate Positivity: We strive to approach things positively while realizing all emotions are valid. We encourage constructive feedback to foster positive collaborations.

Show Gratitude: We regularly demonstrate gratitude for our circumstances and those who have supported us.

Practice Reflection: We believe introspection leads to true learning and adjustments.

Improve Consistently: We have a higher expectation of ourselves and our technology than others have of us.

Act Beyond Yourself: We consider the bigger picture and are not afraid of the less-travelled path if it aligns with our values.

Build Sustainably: Sustainability is at the core of our technology and team values.

Diversify: Diversity at all levels is paramount in translating biophysics to first-in-class medicines.

Patient Passion: Our team is committed to developing first-in-class protein therapeutics.

Reverence to the Giants: We honor the great minds that advanced the field of protein biophysics.

Commitment to Our Corporate Culture: Peptone Ltd and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers building a culturally diverse workforce.

Our Mission: Delivering first-in-class medicines for better patient outcomes is our obsession.

What We Bring:

• A non-hierarchical environment where everyone has a voice.
• An appreciative atmosphere with fair salaries and company benefits.
• A highly dynamic environment with opportunities for career development.
• A skilled and interdisciplinary team passionate about proteins and science.
• A unique company pushing the boundaries of biopharmaceutical drug development.
• A fast-paced company with novel science and academic rigor at its core.
• A company that values your contribution to scientific endeavor.
• A flexible working setup to ensure a work-life balance.