Make your mark for patients.

We're here because we want to build the future and transform patients' lives for the better. At UCB, our people are our experiences and achievements, our passion and drive. That's why we're looking for talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences - not just the best and brightest, but those who care about making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. We promote an environment of diversity, openness, and respect where people can make valuable contributions.

An exciting journey lies ahead. Will you join us in pushing the boundaries of what's possible?

We are seeking a motivated Scientist I - Peptide Chemist to be an integral member of the Cambridge Chemistry group, responsible for using our powerful mRNA display peptide discovery platform to identify and engineer novel inhibitors of target proteins that are implicated in human diseases with unmet medical needs. The lab-based position will be reporting directly to the US head of chemistry and will also be managing external CRO resources to augment internal research. The scientist will work closely with medicinal chemistry and DNA encoded library to group to develop new synthesis and screening technologies on and off beads. The successful candidate will be a skilled experimentalist with deep knowledge of peptide chemistry and medicinal chemistry, and experiences in small molecule conjugation with biomolecules or PROTAC design and synthesis is highly desirable.

Responsibilities:

• The candidate will work as an integral member of a broad team of scientists (including chemistry, biology, CADD, DMPK) to develop peptide drugs as part of our discovery programs.
• Independently designing drug-like peptide molecules utilizing medicinal chemistry knowledge, including property-based optimization, and an understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetics and optimal physicochemical properties.
• Develop and implement new methods to advance our peptide drug discovery efforts.
• Design the chemical synthesis for peptides, peptide modifications and peptide conjugates (e.g. using solid phase peptide synthesis and peptide arrays).
• Ensure optimal interaction, communication and provide regular updates on project status to the program leads and leadership team.
• Participate in new target identification and validation
• Triage screening hits, and carry out hit to lead
• Managing and directing external CRO resources
• Learn to independently lead programs with the goal of delivering of drug candidates

Required Skills

• Ph.D. in organic chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, or related field. Additional academic and/or industrial experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Proficiency in peptide chemistry design, synthesis, characterization, bioconjugation technology, and SAR analysis.
• Deep knowledge and experiences in solid phase peptide/organic synthesis
• Experience with chromatography and mass spectrometry data analysis, method development, strong familiarity and aptitude with LC and MS instrumentation, and MS Software.
• Experience of chemical biology or medicinal chemistry in targeted protein degradation is preferred.

About us:

At UCB, we come together every day to work, laser-focused, on a simple question: How will this create value for people living with severe diseases? By putting patients at the heart of everything we do, our approach - from discovery to development to delivery - is continuously transformed and designed around patient needs and their journey.

With a team of approximately 7,600 employees and worldwide operations in more than 40 countries, we are a global biopharmaceutical company investing more than a quarter of our revenue in cutting-edge scientific research. We are focused on addressing chronic, neurological, immunological, and bone diseases. We are looking for people with passion and empathy who develop a real understanding of patient's needs and can deliver thoughtful solutions to decisionmakers across the heath care ecosystem.

Curious to know more? Please visit our website .

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Where permitted, applicants for employment in the United States must either have received or been willing to receive a full COVID-19 vaccination by the date of hire; or, alternatively, agree to be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing, subject to religious and medical exemptions and in accordance with applicable law.