Job Title
Senior Research Officer (Chemist Project Lead), Australian Centre for Targeted Therapeutics (ACTT)
Job Description
An excellent opportunity is available for a Senior Research Officer (Chemist Project Lead) to join the Australian Centre for Targeted Therapeutics (ACTT) at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.
About the position
ACTT’s vision is to transform the lives of cancer patients through a new class of medicines that unlock previously ‘undruggable’ targets. Located at WEHI’s Bundoora Biotech Centre, ACTT focuses on the development of new targeted protein degraders against validated cancer-driving proteins with an initial focus on cancers with high-mortality rates.
The Chemist Project Lead will be responsible for driving medicinal chemistry efforts to design, synthesise and optimise a range of molecules: novel E3 ligase warheads, cancer target protein ligands, and degraders comprised of these components. The role forms part of ACTT’s multidisciplinary team, providing chemistry expertise to guide project strategy and achieve milestones, ultimately aiming to develop lead degrader molecules to combat cancer in the clinic. The role is partly office-based: involving project administration, data-driven decision making, and CRO management tasks. The lab-based aspects of the role include the synthesis of targets and support of junior colleagues in the medicinal chemistry team. Prior experience of medicinal chemistry for targeted protein degradation projects is highly desirable but not essential. The position reports to the Lead Chemist in the ACTT.

Selection Criteria

• A PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a related discipline
• 2+ years of experience at a postdoctoral level or equivalent in synthetic organic or medicinal chemistry
• Demonstrated ability to apply sound medicinal chemistry principles for the generation and optimisation of lead compounds to achieve project milestones
• Excellent ability to integrate data across key areas of drug discovery (biophysical and biological activity, structural information, physicochemical properties) and prioritise the design of compounds based on this information.
• Outstanding academic or industrial track record (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and/or patents)
• A demonstrated ability to problem-solve within a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead, supervise and mentor more junior scientists in the chemistry lab
• Enthusiasm for timely delivery of project milestones in a fast-paced team atmosphere
• Hands on experience in progressing small molecules from hits to leads in the field of protein degraders is highly desired
• Experience of CRO management is highly desired

Terms of appointment
This position is available for a fixed term until the 30th of March 2026 in a full-time capacity. Salary is Research Employee Level B ($114,170 – 135,568). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.
General enquiries can be directed to Nicole Trainor –
trainor.n@wehi.edu.au
A position description is available
here
.
How to apply
Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria above in pdf format.
Application closing date: 24 February 202

Please refer the Job description for details