Job Overview
At Charles River, we help our clients discover, develop, and manufacture new therapies that make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives. Our success is built on deep scientific expertise, collaboration across disciplines, and innovative thinking.
We are now seeking a Senior Scientist – AI / Machine Learning to strengthen and expand our AI enabled drug discovery capability at our Chesterford Research Park site. This role is central to operationalising our AI/ML strategy and delivering high quality, data driven insights across integrated drug discovery programmes.
Candidates must have full and permanent Right to Work in the UK as we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
The Role
As a Senior Scientist in AI/ML, you will work with scientific independence under strategic direction, applying advanced machine learning and informatics approaches to real drug discovery challenges.
You Will
* Develop, deploy, and apply AI/ML models for molecular design, prediction, and decision making.
* Apply AI/ML and (chemo)informatics to support high quality scientific decisions across client programmes.
* Drive innovation in AI, automation, and in silico strategies, accelerating progression from hit to candidate.
* Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, computational scientists, project leaders, and clients.
* Present scientific results, challenges, and recommendations clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
* Maintain awareness of emerging AI/ML technologies and scientific literature, sharing knowledge across teams.
* Contribute to scientific proposals, client presentations, and business development activities.
* Mentor and support colleagues, helping to build informatics and AI capability across the organisation.
* Function as an ambassador for Charles River at conferences and external scientific events when required.
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* PhD in Computational Chemistry, AI/ML, Chemoinformatics, or a related discipline.
* Or BSc/MSc in chemistry or computer science with significant industry experience applying AI/ML in drug discovery.
* Demonstrable experience developing and deploying AI/ML methods in a drug discovery environment.
* Strong Python programming skills, including experience with Jupyter notebooks and modern IDEs.
* Experience working with structured and unstructured data.
* Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary, project-based teams.
* Strong problem solving skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and pragmatically.
Desirable
* Industry experience within a CRO or pharmaceutical drug discovery organisation.
* Sound understanding of the mathematics and statistics underpinning AI/ML.
* Experience using commercial and open source molecular modelling software.
* Exposure to bioinformatics or biologics focused data.
Additional Information
* This role is hybrid/onsite, with regular attendance required at our Chesterford Research Park (Saffron Walden) site.
* Travel may be required for client meetings and scientific conferences.
What We Offer You
At Charles River Discovery UK, we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, wellbeing, and professional growth. A generous Bonus and non-contributory pension, health, dental and much more.
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