Principal Scientist Computational Chemistry

We are looking for a highly motivated computational chemist to join the Computational Chemistry group at our R&D site in Jealott's Hill, UK. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work on chemistry design problems in a multidisciplinary environment, with applications in a wide range of biological systems spanning plant, mammalian and invertebrate biology.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate flexible teamwork and a tenacious approach to delivering computational chemistry outputs to research projects. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to translate specialist knowledge into a meaningful output for multidisciplinary project teams are highly desirable qualities for this position.

Role Purpose

• To perform computational chemistry studies supporting new active ingredient invention, working within multidisciplinary project teams in Crop Protection Research
• To effectively communicate results to chemists and cross-disciplinary project teams so that results make an impact
• To maintain awareness of external trends and provide technology foresight in computational chemistry and promote the use of state-of-the art methods in chemistry design
• To support method development in the computational chemistry platform and contribute to strategy 

Accountabilities

• Support design of new active ingredients by using a broad range of computational techniques, including molecular modelling; structure- and ligand-based design; data analysis and predictive modelling
• Monitor new developments in the field and maintain awareness of technical approaches taken by other companies, vendors, and academia
• Maintain and extend own expertise in areas of computational chemistry of relevance to agrochemical invention, and provide technical leadership in this area of specialism
• Work effectively with computational chemistry colleagues across sites to drive technology development and actively participate in scientific networks

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Integrating and adapting quickly to a new working environment and working independently to deliver results on multiple projects
• Working with chemists, computational chemists and other experts to devise strategies on how best to leverage data and provide design inputs to support chemical invention
• Awareness of business context and potential applications of rational design in early-stage research projects
• Ability to broaden scientific horizon and learn methods and ways of working in adjacent scientific fields, e.g. toxicology, plant physiology, physical chemistry, environmental science
• Effective oral and written communication to stakeholders in Chemistry and other R&D functions

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical Knowledge

• PhD or equivalent in computational chemistry or a related field, with experience in project-based work in multidisciplinary project teams
• Knowledge of structure-based design, including homology modelling, docking and virtual screening
• Knowledge of biochemistry, enzymology and structural biology to guide rational inhibitor design
• Knowledge of molecular mechanics and free energy calculations
• Knowledge of ligand-based rational design, e.g. field- and shape-based methods and conformational exploration, standard QM methods 
• Working knowledge of cheminformatics, QSPR, model validation and assessing model robustness; familiarity with machine learning and its applications
• Knowledge of applied statistical methods for data analysis (univariate and multivariate methods, e.g. principal component analysis)
• Understanding of organic chemistry and chemical structure
• Familiarity with standard molecular modelling software packages
• Practical programming and data science skills to support computational chemistry tasks, e.g. Python,/Java/C++, high-performance computing, pipelining tools, shell scripting, databases

Critical Experience

• Experience in project-based work in multidisciplinary project teams
• Experience in an industrial drug discovery environment is a plus

Syngenta will offer

• Competitive salary and benefits scheme including bonus, healthcare & generous pension
• 31.5 days annual holiday
• Flexible working hours
• A commitment to innovation
• Leading edge technology
• Good onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes
• Great opportunities for personal and career development
• Interaction with external researchers and opportunities to represent Syngenta in research networks, collaborations and conferences.
• Vibrant R&D focused workforce with wide and varied social communities to join

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

Syngenta is leading science-based agtech company; dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture

Our Jealotts Hill R&D site hosts a vibrant multi-disciplinary scientific community of around 800 people.  Located between Maidenhead and Bracknell it offers a spacious and green campus environment with comprehensive sports facilities, catering facilities & social clubs. We are proud of our community and how we work together to deliver.