Senior Principal Scientist, Computational Chemist

Job Role

We are looking for dynamic, creative, and talented computational chemist to join our expanding Discovery & Medicinal Chemistry Department. Reporting to the Director of Medicinal Chemistry, you will apply your expertise, leadership and guidance to discover and develop novel small-molecule therapeutic agents. You will be working within a patient-focused, science-driven, and multi-disciplinary biopharmaceutical environment, covering all stages of the drug discovery process. You will collaborate with scientists from other disciplines within Jazz Pharmaceuticals and with external collaborators to build an innovative portfolio of therapeutics across our exciting and growing oncology and neuroscience pipelines. Working at the forefront of drug discovery you will advance projects from target selection to preclinical drug candidates and FiH trials, and contribute to the growth of the medicinal chemistry team.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilize modern molecular modelling methods to support different stages of R&D programs.


• Collaborate effectively with other departments and functions to advance research discovery projects expeditiously from hit identification to high quality preclinical candidates.


• Design, lead and drive computational studies on projects throughout the several discovery phases and ensure execution on agreed deliverables.


• Opportunities to lead or co-lead projects in addition to drive discipline-specific endeavours.


• Set the vision and strategy for computational chemistry.


• Foster innovative thinking in all areas of departmental activities, with a particular focus on computational and medicinal chemistry.


• Manage CRO compchem activities, providing expertise and guidance.


• Present plans and results internally, including at board level, and externally at conferences.


• Contribute to the writing of patent applications, scientific publications, and internal reports.


• Develop and mentor less experienced staff.


• Keep up to date with the latest scientific advances and trends in drug discovery to deliver the next-generation therapies.


• Undertake ongoing professional development by attending relevant training and conferences.

Requirements & Qualifications

• MSc/PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Computational Chemistry) with a solid foundation in molecular modelling built in a pharma/biotech/CRO setting.


• Expert knowledge in CADD software packages and modern molecular modelling techniques.


• Sound knowledge in cutting-edge cheminformatic tools, AI/ML-enabled technologies, and in silico drug design, including both structure- and ligand-based methodologies.


• Passion for drug discovery with a deep entrepreneurial and problem-solving attitude.


• Mastery of all the theoretical and practical principles of medicinal chemistry and drug design.


• Broad knowledge of biophysical, biochemical, and cell-based assays used in the early stages of the drug discovery process.


• In depth understanding of multi-parameter optimization and ability to integrate disease biology, ADME/DMPK and toxicology data to solve complex drug discovery problems.


• Excellent leadership, management, organizational and team-working skills, and a talent to deliver project milestones within the expected time frame.


• Demonstrated track record of scientific publications.


• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to develop and grow strong cross-functional collaborations.