Research Leader / Senior Scientist

Isomorphic Labs is applying frontier AI to help unlock deeper scientific insights, faster breakthroughs, and life-changing medicines with an ambition to solve all disease. The future is coming, enabled and enriched by the incredible power of machine learning, where diseases are curtailed or cured starting with better and faster drug discovery.

About Iso

Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. Our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed. Our name comes from the belief that there is an underlying symmetry between biology and information science. By harnessing AI’s powerful capabilities, we can model complex biological phenomena to help design novel molecules, anticipate how drugs will perform, and develop innovative medicines to treat and cure some of the world’s most devastating diseases.

Your impact

Isomorphic Labs is seeking exceptional individuals to join a highly impactful In vitro and Cellular Pharmacology sub-team within our Translational Sciences team, which specialises in small molecules. We’re hiring at the Research Leader and Senior Scientist levels. These roles are ideal for experienced in vitro pharmacologists with significant working knowledge of biophysical, biochemical and/or cell-based functional assays, and extensive experience providing quantitative in vitro pharmacology expertise within drug discovery projects.

What you will do

• Design efficient and comprehensive biological screening cascades for a variety of internal and partnered drug design programs.
• Guide the optimization and implementation of biophysical and biochemical assays, including SPR, ITC, and enzymatic methodologies, to rigorously evaluate target interaction, pharmacological potency, and molecular specificity.
• Direct the development and refinement of functional and phenotypic cellular assays, bridging the gap between biochemical engagement and biological potency to advance target validation and mechanistic understanding.
• Work with CROs to design decision-making experiments and deliver the highest quality biological data to inform the path to the clinic.
• Evaluate, interpret, and synthesize complex binding, kinetic, and dose-response information; generate precise technical documentation to guide strategic decision-making and support IND-enabling data packages.
• Act as a vital bridge between computational prediction and experimental reality, collaborating closely with AI/ML and Data Science teams, Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, and In vivo Pharmacology and Translational Sciences.

Skills and qualifications

Essential:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Biophysics, or a related scientific discipline.
• 8+ years / 5+ years of professional experience in a Translational Sciences role, operating within a biotech, pharma or CRO setting.
• Experience of project leadership / leading biology within small molecule drug discovery programs, ideally from inception to clinical candidate delivery.
• For a people management position, experience of leading a high-performing scientific team, mentoring and empowering them to thrive in their roles.
• Extensive experience in the design and implementation of biological screening cascades applied to drug design projects from hit identification to candidate selection phases.
• Deep knowledge of experimental in vitro pharmacology techniques including biophysical, biochemical and/or cellular assays.
• Ability to provide technical guidance within matrixed organizations, effectively steering cross-functional programs and execution through collaboration.
• Experience working with CROs in acquiring and interpreting high-quality biological data in a timely manner.
• Dynamism and agility, with the ability to work across several projects and therapeutic areas.
• Effective communication across a broad interdisciplinary team, working with key stakeholders with different skills and backgrounds.

Nice to have:

• Experience of leading biology within drug discovery programs from inception to clinical candidate delivery.
• Experience partnering with Data Science groups in setting up systems for ingestion of biological data.
• Track record of contributing to drug design projects which have then delivered Clinical Candidates.
• Working knowledge of designing and implementing assays and screening cascades for alternative modalities or alternative chemistries e.g. peptides or molecular glues.
• General knowledge of machine learning modelling applied to biological systems and drug discovery.

Culture and values

We believe that to be successful we need a team with a range of skills and talents. We're building an environment where collaboration is fundamental, learning is shared and every employee feels supported and able to thrive. We value unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, and perspectives, and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact.

Hybrid working

It’s hugely important for us to share knowledge and build strong relationships with each other, and we find it easier to do this if we spend time together in person. This is why we follow a hybrid model, requiring you to come into the office 3 days a week.