Senior Principal Scientist ​/ Director – Computational Chemistry (IDD

Position: Senior Principal Scientist / Director – Computational Chemistry (IDD)
Job Introduction Senior Principal Scientist / Director – Computational Chemistry (IDD)

Location:

UK – Remote About Pharmaron Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the UK, US, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers. To learn more, visit .Pharmaron is looking for a Senior Principal Scientist / Director – Computational Chemistry to lead on the design and optimisation of multi-modality ligands within our Integrated Drug Discovery programmes and help shape our Computational Sciences capability.

This is a senior role requiring scientific excellence, and client engagement to drive integrated, multi-modality drug discovery programmes.

The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities, we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding, through to IND filing.
Working closely with our partners, we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and, with an AI enabled accelerated Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycle, support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.

The Role Lead Computational Sciences design strategy across a diverse portfolio of discovery projects from hit expansion through lead optimisation. Design, evaluate, and prioritize molecules for synthesis using a complete suite of computational tools

Provide scientific leadership to multidisciplinary project teams from hit-finding to candidate selection

Drive the application of modern CADD approaches (AI/ML, SBDD, cheminformatic) across small molecule and other modalities

Build and enhance computational infrastructure, tools and capabilities

Collaborate closely with global Computational Chemistry teams and cross-functional stakeholders

Build and strengthen client relationships, supporting business growth and long-term collaborations

Contribute to departmental strategy, innovation, capability development and business proposals

Represent Pharmaron externally, enhancing reputation within the Computational Sciences and broader drug discovery communities

About YouPhD in Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Molecular Modelling or related discipline
10+ years’ experience in computational drug discovery (Pharma, Biotech or CRO)
Proven track record delivering impact across drug discovery pipelines and key milestones

Expertise across CADD approaches, including SBDD, AI/ML and cheminformatics

Experience working across modalities (small molecules, peptides, biologics, emerging platforms)
Strong publication and/or patent record

Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and external collaborations

Excellent communication skills

Key Skills Deep knowledge of computational chemistry in drug discovery

Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry, biology and DMPK integration

Excellent communication and stakeholder influencing skills

Ability to manage multiple complex programmes in parallel

Key Attributes Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into execution

Inspirational leader and team developer

Collaborative, adaptable and culturally aware

Results-driven with strong client focus

Passionate about innovation, continuous learning and scientific excellence

Why Join Pharmaron?

Lead cutting-edge computational science within a global CROInfluence strategy, capability build and scientific direction

Work on diverse, high-impact discovery programmes

Collaborate with world-class global teams

If you're ready to take a leadership role in advancing cheminformatics and computational chemistry, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary
Competitive

Frequency
Annual

Job Reference
ukpharmaron/TP/141/688

Contract Type
Permanent Contract

Closing Date
No expiry date

Job Category
Scientific (CADD)

Division
Drug Discovery

Location
Hoddesdon, United Kingdom

Posted on
11 June, 2026