Separation and Purification Scientist

About Us

Exscientia is an AI-driven precision medicine company committed to discovering, designing and developing the best possible drugs in the fastest and most effective manner. Exscientia developed the first-ever functional precision oncology platform to successfully guide treatment selection and improve patient outcomes in a prospective interventional clinical study, as well as to progress AI-designed small molecules into the clinical setting.

Our internal pipeline is focused on leveraging our precision medicine platform in oncology, while our partnered pipeline broadens our approach to other therapeutic areas. By pioneering a new approach to medicine creation, we believe the best ideas of science can rapidly become the best medicines for patients.

The Role

Exscientia recently opened a brand new, state-of-the-art automated laboratory focused on the automation of chemical synthesis, compound management, and biology. This radical new facility aligns with Exscientia’s ‘Designed by AI – Made by Robot’ vision, with a key focus on transforming drug discovery timelines and enabling rapid design-make-test cycles, ultimately aiming to bring treatments to patients faster.

We are seeking a Separation and Purification Scientist to develop and operate our analytical and purification tools. You will use your experience in compound analysis and purification to support and develop our fully automated synthesis capability, supporting the needs of our internal synthetic chemistry team.

Please note this is a lab-based role at our site in Milton Science and Technology Park in Oxfordshire (OX14 4SD).

You will have the opportunity to:

• Implement new technology to support automated analytical and purification / separation workflows.
• Collaborate with ADME to support experimental physicochemical parameter measurement such as Chrom logD and EPSA.
• Deliver rapid achiral and chiral purification processes for both automated and conventional synthesis workflows.
• Support automated QC and quantitation workflows using LC-MS and Charged Aerosol Detection.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement customised software or AI solutions for data manipulation and exploitation.
• Learn from world class scientists in a variety of disciplines, using their expertise to inform your work and broaden your knowledge.

Requirements

Essential skills:

• Minimum BSc qualification in Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Science, including at least 6 months industrial or academic working experience in Separation Science.
• Proficiency in analytical LC-MS and / or SFC-MS with a basic understanding of chirality and isomer separation strategies within drug discovery. Proficiency in the operation of mass and / or UV guided purification systems.
• Proven ability to apply separation science to solve complex problems, and ability to troubleshoot and maintain LC-MS instruments.
• Innovation mindset with an open-minded attitude to drug discovery technologies and enthusiasm to challenge the status-quo.
• Ability to work in high performing, cross functional teams with a collaborative mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as you will liaise with various teams and present your data to colleagues.
  

Desirable skills:

• Experience with batch / plate analysis and automating data processing workflows for QC applications. Experience with alternative detection techniques for compound quantification.
• Experience with physicochemical parameter measurement using HPLC and SFC methodologies.

Benefits

• Join our inclusive, collaborative and intellectually stimulating organisation with strong company values.
• As a learning organisation, we provide access to learning and development opportunities and will place you at the forefront of your career growth at Exscientia.
• We employ brilliant people so we pay highly competitive salaries. Additionally, all our employees are eligible for a company-wide annual bonus and receive both a new joiner and annual share award.
• Enjoy our generous holiday allowance and flexible working approach to find a healthy work-life balance that works for you.
• Create amazing memories or progress your personal and professional development with our four-week paid sabbatical after four years of service.
• We’re leading the way in progressive leave, offering enhanced policies such as generous parental leave, surrogacy, menopause, and family emergency leave so you feel supported no matter the life event.
• Additionally, we support childcare costs for children aged 0-5 through our affordable childcare scheme.
• Take advantage of two generous salary exchange schemes to claim discounts on a brand new electric vehicle and cycling equipment worth up to £3,500.
• As a healthcare company, we understand the importance of health and wellbeing so we provide comprehensive private health insurance, dental and vision benefits for you and your family.
• We also provide plenty of access to mental health support including therapy and counselling sessions plus an employee assistance program for help with lifestyle issues such as bereavement, family problems or money management.
• To help safeguard the future for you and your loved ones, we also offer pension and life cover.
• Help yourself to free drinks and snacks in our fully stocked kitchens. Join your colleagues in one of our many breakout areas and get to know the people you are working with. Some of the best ideas start with a coffee break!
• Feel inspired in our high spec labs where you will use state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation that enable you to do your best work.
• We’ll even support your home office environment with an allowance for furniture and equipment to make your space as comfortable and productive as possible.
• Learn more about why our team enjoy working at Exscientia here