Senior Scientist (Compound Profiling)

TL;DR

Senior Scientist (Compound Profiling): Designing and implementing in vitro screening cascades for small molecule and oligonucleotide therapeutics with an accent on drug discovery and pharmacological characterization. Focus on developing novel assays, managing CRO partnerships, and driving DMTA cycles to advance candidates to nomination.

Location: Hybrid, based at Babraham Research Campus, South Cambridge, UK

Company

Global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and interpret assays for in vitro screening cascades to advance drug discovery programs.
• Perform hands-on development, optimization, and validation of biochemical, target engagement, and biomarker assays.
• Oversee compound profiling activities conducted at CROs, appraising scientific quality and timely delivery.
• Drive Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles in collaboration with Chemistry, DMPK, and project teams.
• Mentor junior scientists and foster a collaborative, innovative lab culture.
• Maintain SOPs and accurately record experimental data using electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).

Requirements

• Degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience in in vitro pharmacological characterization within a drug discovery environment.
• Proven track record in designing and troubleshooting biochemical, binding, and target engagement assays.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to DMTA cycles in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing CROs, including oversight of profiling and compound logistics.
• Working knowledge of assay automation, ELNs, and scientific databases.
• Must be based in or able to work from South Cambridge, UK.

Nice to have

• Practical experience with biophysical techniques (e.g., SPR, ITC, MST, BLI).
• Prior line management experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible work schedules with purposeful in-person collaboration.
• Competitive retirement benefits and global equity awards.
• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Professional development via the hirify.global Learning Institute and LinkedIn Learning.
• Access to AI-powered learning tools and digital assistants.
• Work environment located in a state-of-the-art research campus.