Head of Operations – Drug Discovery Hub

This is a unique opportunity for an outstanding drug discovery scientist to co-lead the Drug Discovery Hub, a new drug discovery facility at Imperial College London and the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS). The facility will build on investments of >£7M in equipment and >£200M in lab space in the Translation & Innovation Hub and Molecular Sciences Research Hub , at Imperial’s new White City Campus. The facility is backed by state-of-the-art automation at the London Biofoundry , including an array of acoustic and tip-based liquid handlers, robotic plate handling, HTS plate readers, high-content imaging, HPLC, LC-MS and NGS platforms.

Duties and responsibilities

We seek to appoint an experienced drug discovery scientist to lead further development of the drug discovery ecosystem across Imperial and MRC LMS, and our partners in biopharma. You will assemble and manage collaborative teams to identify and prioritise novel drug targets and opportunities for development of new drug discovery technologies based on cutting-edge science and engineering, including encoded libraries, informatics, and machine learning. Supported by experienced colleagues, you will co-lead discovery of new biological & chemical tools to enable fundamental science and drug discovery, and support large-scale funding proposals, translation, and company formation. You will also drive development of community network building and training activities, building on our existing links to the Francis Crick Institute and spinouts and biopharma companies based in the White City Campus and beyond.

Essential requirements

We welcome applications from scientists with drug discovery experience from academia or industry. Essential criteria for the role include:

• A PhD in a relevant subject (chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, etc.) or an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience (e.g. in a drug discovery centre in industry or academia).
• A strong track record in drug discovery science, preferably evidenced by publications or patents, to a level consistent with extent of research experience.
• Ability to set and attain research objectives as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to mentor co-workers, and to work dynamically and independently to achieve high-level goals.

Whilst training will be provided in relevant techniques, prior experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Developing and applying technologies for high-throughput screening chemistry or biology.
• Chemical library design, acquisition, and management.
• Leadership in community building activities and training initiatives.
• Facility management and sustainable working practises.
• Successful HTS campaigns, from target selection & assay development to hit validation.

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed term position for 36 months with the opportunity for long-term extension. You will be based at White City Campus.

The successful candidate is expected to start in June 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Flexible or part-time working are possible, by mutual agreement.

For informal enquiries about the post, please contact Prof Ed Tate (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/tate-group/ ) or Dr Marko Storch: [email protected] .

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