At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.  

We currently have an exciting opportunity within our Drug Discovery team for an experienced individual to help lead and drive our Medicinal Chemistry strategy. We are seeking an accomplished scientific and people leader who can articulate a vision for our mission and set direction and inspire commitment for preclinical Discovery.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Medicinal Chemistry & DMPK, you will set the vision and lead a team, seeking to accelerate novel therapies into clinical development. You will also play a Leadership role in the wider Chemistry department, contributing to the Strategic direction of Chemistry within Cancer Research Horizons.

As a Group Leader in Medicinal Chemistry, you will lead and inspire a high-performing team to provide excellence in synthetic and medicinal chemistry across our small molecule oncology portfolio. The Chemistry Group at the CRUK Scotland Institute has a strong emphasis on early-stage hit identification. Working closely with our co‑located Target Validation Group, the successful candidate will further strengthen this capability while bringing significant late‑stage lead optimisation experience, supporting the progression of our drug discovery programmes towards candidate nomination.

You will be an experienced and passionate leader, able to represent the department across a broad range of therapeutic projects and cross-site initiatives, and externally. You will contribute to, and lead, specific aspects of scientific and technical innovation (including in novel modalities aligned to our strategic direction), incorporating external collaboration and partnership along with internal science builds.