At EDDC, our goal is to discover and develop novel therapeutics by working collaboratively with public sector and industry partners. EDDC now has an opening and is seeking to recruit a highly motivated Scientist in the EDDC Academic Research Organisation team. The successful candidate will participate and support inter-disciplinary drug discovery projects through the management of our small molecule compound inventory and our automation systems. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the team working on the discovery of novel therapeutics and engaging in preclinical drug development from target exploration to drug candidate selection.
 
Job Description

The compound management scientist oversees the lifecycle of small-molecule compounds and related materials (e.g., fragments, libraries, reference standards) across the organization. This role ensures accurate tracking, efficient distribution, and optimal utilization of compounds to support research, screening, and drug discovery programs. 

The ideal candidate combines expertise in compound management with strong computational and automation skills, enabling data integrity, system efficiency, and continuous process improvement.

Job Scope

Key roles and responsibilities

1. Compound Inventory Management & Oversight:

• Receive, catalogue, and store chemical compounds in a systematic and organized manner, ensuring traceability and quality control throughout their lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of compound inventory, including quantities, locations, batch numbers and expiration dates.
• Monitor and report on stock levels to ensure an adequate supply for ongoing research and screening activities.
• Perform routine inspections to ensure the integrity and safety of stored compounds.

2. Compound Tracking and Documentation:

• Utilised laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and other digital tools to record, track and maintain compound data.
• Generate and update compound inventory reports, including batch information, chemical properties, and associated documentation.
• Prepare, maintain and ensure accessibility of safety data sheets (SDS) for all compounds, adhering to regulatory requirements.

 3.  Automation & System Integration:

• Implement, operate, and oversee automated liquid-handling and compound-dispensing systems to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and throughput.
• Collaborate with automation engineers and IT specialists to integrate robotic workflows, scheduling software, and compound databases into unified digital ecosystems.
• Support the development of automated data pipelines to improve sample traceability, compound-to-screen data linkage, and machine learning readiness.

4. Collaboration and Support:

• Work closely with medicinal chemists, screening teams, and informatics groups to ensure compound availability, integrity, and traceability.
• Receive and process compound requests from research teams, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company procedures.
• Prepare compounds for distribution, including labeling, packaging, and documentation.
• Maintain a log of compound distributions and returns.

5. Safety and Compliance:

• Adhere to safety protocols and guidelines for handling, storing, and disposing of chemical compounds.
• Ensure compliance with institutional and external regulations governing hazardous material management.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability by routinely reviewing and updating chemical safety practices

6. Communication:

• Serve as a key liaison with researchers, scientists, and other stakeholders to align compound management activities with project priorities.
• Communicate effectively across team members and departments to coordinate compound management activities and address any issues or concerns.

7. Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Identify opportunities to optimize compound management processes, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency.
• Recommend and implement enhancements in inventory management systems and workflows.
• #Support data harmonization efforts and contribute to building a machine learning ready infrastructure connecting compound, assay and screening dataset.

8.  Training and Development:

• Stay current with developments in compound management best practices and technologies.
• Provide training and guidance to colleagues and new team members, as needed.

General Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Masters Degree in biological sciences, chemistry, engineering sciences or computer science.
• At least 2 years academic or industrial experience in biology or chemistry laboratories as a technician or research officer. 
• Strong organisational and communication skills, demonstrated ability in establishing and managing research partnerships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to changing priorities

Preferred Skills/Experiences:

• Experience in lab automation and liquid handling platforms.
• Experience with inventory management of samples or compounds, database software.
• Familiarity with robotics integration or lab digitalization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of chemical data formats (SMILES, SDF, CSV) and integration with cheminformatics tools.
• Knowledge and experience of the process of performing high throughput screening assays using microplates.