Senior Research Scientist - Mass Spectrometry

Job description

Nicholas Howard have an exciting 12month contract opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist to join our client, a leading Global Biopharma, working on cutting edge research to drive small molecule drug discovery using mass spectrometry.

This will be a fully lab based role, working from early stage through to preclinical projects, and will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering mass spectrometry (MS)-based assays to support the optimization of small molecule ligands as part of the drug discovery process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and validate robust small molecule MS-based assays to support drug discovery and development programs.
• Optimize assay conditions to ensure high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility for small molecule detection and quantification
• Collaborate with structural biology and biophysics teams to integrate MS data with structural and biophysical insights
• Work closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and other scientists to align assay development with project goals.
• Communicate results effectively through presentations, reports, and publications
• Ensure compliance with laboratory SOPs, and detailed record keeping in electronic notebook
• Maintain, operate and troubleshoot LCMS instrumentation for routine and novel assays

Essential:

• Relevant Ph.D. Or equivalent experience with proven track record of small molecule mass spec delivery
• Experience running and analysing quantitative small molecule mass spec assays
• Practical experience working with triplequad MS platforms
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex instrumentation
• Track record for scientific problem solving
• Sound understanding of data analysis principles and familiarity with data analysis software packages with particular focus on small molecule MS analysis
• Self-driven ability to organize resources and data, manage time and priorities.
• Desire to work in a fast, collaborative, and team-oriented environment.
• The ability to communicate clear and concise updates across a variety of audience levels, keep track of experimental records and results.
• Experience with data organisation and downstream reporting of MS data to other disciplines e.g. Medicinal chemistry
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable:

• Experience of small molecule Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry (AS-MS)
• Experience in biochemical, biophysical, bioanalytical, and/or cellular MS screening technologies
• Familiarity with other protein MS techniques such as Intact Mass, Native, HDX.
• Experience of working within the drug discovery industry

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Oxford

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

18-03-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English