Associate Scientist- Chemical Biology

LifeArc Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life science organization in the UK is seeking an Associate Scientist – Chemical Biology to conduct research in chemical synthesis and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates with a Master’s degree in organic or medicinal chemistry and experience in an industrial setting are preferred. This role offers a supportive work environment and focuses on developing life-changing solutions for patients.

Benefits

Employer contributions up to 12%

Private health insurance

31 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in chemical synthesis in an industrial setting.
• Education background in chemistry or equivalent fields.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and experiments in chemical synthesis.
• Optimise and execute synthetic routes.
• Summarise and interpret experimental data.
• Work independently to solve routine chemistry problems.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams on projects.

Skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Self-motivated

Resilience and adaptability

Education

Master’s degree in organic or medicinal chemistry

Undergraduate degree and equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Associate Scientist – Chemical Biology

Job Type: Permanent

LifeArc is a not-for-profit life science organisation focused on rare diseases and translational challenges to benefit patients.

About the role

This is a lab-based role based at our research centre in Stevenage and will transition to LifeArc’s new London Judd Street facilities around 2027/2028. The Chemical Biology group builds platforms and drives projects aligned with LifeArc’s Translational Challenges to benefit patients.

As a medicinal chemist in LifeArc’s Chemical Biology group, you will deliver small molecule drug discovery projects in a cross-disciplinary team involved in the pre-clinical phase of drug discovery and development. You will:

• Conduct research and experiments to support projects.
• Analyse and interpret data and present results to line managers, project leadership, and the wider project team. Support development and synthesis of compound series for hit and lead discovery and optimisation.
• Support development and synthesis of compounds exploring novel chemical modalities across varied therapeutic areas.

The ideal candidate will have interest in contributing across platform teams and translational challenges such as AMR, neurodegenerative diseases, or targeted protein degradation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in assigned area of chemical synthesis.
• Optimise and execute synthetic routes, modify methodologies as needed.
• Summarise and interpret raw experimental and analytical data.
• Solve routine synthetic problems and develop solutions.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in synthetic chemistry and apply this to experiments.
• Provide verbal and written reports/presentations as required.
• Maintain electronic laboratory notebooks and data to company standards.
• Follow health and safety and COSHH regulations.
• Responsible for the synthesis of assigned targets in one or more projects.
• Work to schedules and deadlines as determined by the line manager.
• Independently solve routine synthetic chemistry problems and collaborate to solve non-routine issues.
• Plan and execute research using standard or modified techniques.
• Collaborate to modify methodologies and known routes in routine situations.
• Deliver own workload and follow a work plan typically up to two weeks.
• Support the work of team members as directed and exchange ideas with stakeholders.

About you

Education & experience:

• Master’s degree with a strong focus in organic or medicinal chemistry or undergraduate degree with equivalent experience.
• Some recent experience of chemical synthesis in an industrial setting.

Skills & abilities:

• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment

About us

LifeArc is a not-for-profit life science organisation focused on rare diseases in the UK and global health initiatives. We seek research in areas of unmet need with potential to become breakthroughs that change lives.

What we can offer

We prioritise inclusive, supportive environments that focus on health and wellbeing. Our multidisciplinary approach provides growth opportunities, and our culture of innovation drives impact toward our purpose of putting patients at the centre of what we do. LifeArc is committed to inclusive recruitment and proudly participates in the Disability Confident Employer Scheme, guaranteeing an interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria.

Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience, with flexible benefits including a pension scheme with employer contributions up to 12%, private health insurance, and 31 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Diversity & inclusion

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, you’re encouraged to apply anyway; we aim to find the best candidate for the role.