Company Description

Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a novel class of medicines, referred to as Bicycle® molecules, for diseases that are underserved by existing therapeutics. Bicycle molecules are fully synthetic short peptides constrained with small molecule scaffolds to form two loops that stabilize their structural geometry. This constraint facilitates target binding with high affinity and selectivity, making Bicycle molecules attractive candidates for drug development. The company is evaluating zelenectide pevedotin (formerly BT8009), a Bicycle® Toxin Conjugate (BTC®) targeting Nectin-4, a well-validated tumor antigen; BT5528, a BTC molecule targeting EphA2, a historically undruggable target; and BT7480, a Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist® (Bicycle TICA®) targeting Nectin-4 and agonizing CD137, in company-sponsored clinical trials. Additionally, the company is developing Bicycle® Radio Conjugates (BRC™) for radiopharmaceutical use and, through various partnerships, is exploring the use of Bicycle® technology to develop therapies for diseases beyond oncology.

Bicycle Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in Cambridge, Massachusetts US.

Culture is key and all Bicycle employees actively embrace and role model our company values:

• We are Adventurous. We believe it's the way to deliver extraordinary results for our patients.
• We are Dedicated to our Mission. You can't change the world if you don't have determination
• We are One Team. We only succeed when we work together.

Job Description

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Research Scientist who will join a dynamic and fast-moving team. The successful applicant will have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and practical proficiency in modern synthetic organic chemistry, with experience in traditional synthetic methodology and ideally in peptide chemistry and will have experience in bioconjugation chemistries including click chemistry. You will enjoy working in an organic chemistry laboratory, and have hands-on experience with LC/MS, purification and general lab equipment.

You will work as part of the Synthetic Chemistry team and will be responsible for the synthesis of a range of molecules to support ongoing drug discovery projects, as well as developing novel methodologies to enhance the company platform. Additional responsibilities may include managing syntheses via external CRO partners and data interpretation. For project centric activities, the role will involve close interaction with the Medicinal Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry and Biology teams.

You are highly self-motivated, well organised, diligent in record keeping, have an excellent working knowledge of the drug discovery process and be able to perform consistently at the highest level.

Key responsibilities:

• Rapid synthesis of complex amino acids and small molecules for incorporation into bicyclic peptides
• Synthesis and production of bioconjugation-compatible chemistries applicable to bicyclic peptides and linkers
• Development of novel synthetic methodologies to support and enhance the company’s capabilities
• Communicate with project teams and colleagues effectively and work well with others to meet experimental and organizational goals
• Creative input including novel structures suggestions
• Liaising with CROs including the development of detailed synthetic chemistry plans, project tracking, data and compound management, critical evaluation of analytical data including NMR, LCMS, HPLC, and chiral LC.
• Laboratory management (equipment, Health and Safety), entry of molecules into databases and repositories ensuring clear and accurate record keeping and adhering to standard operating procedures
• Compiling data for patent filings

Qualifications

• Educated in organic chemistry with industry experience in contemporary synthetic chemistry
• A passion for hands-on organic chemistry
• Experience of a diverse range of techniques related to the synthesis and purification of organic molecules,
• Strong problem solver and adapts well to changing situations
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to work independently, flexibly and reliably, prioritizing accordingly to the company objectives
• Dependable team player who collaborates and communicates effectively in team environment. Comfortable sharing knowledge with wider company team and, as appropriate, report work to the scientific or industry community
• Confident with requirements of data integrity and use of Electronic Lab Notebooks
• Good time management skills and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Innovative, entrepreneurial, enjoys working in a fast-paced environment
• A desire to learn and train, as well as train others.

Desirable:

• Experience in the synthesis, purification and analysis of peptides and peptides conjugates using reverse-phase HPLC
• Troubleshooting and maintenance of purification equipment
• Skilled in bioconjugation techniques
• Prior involvement in evaluating novel technologies
• Demonstrated experience in managing external resources (CRO, CMO)

Additional Information

• State-of-the-art campus environment with on campus restaurant and Montessori nursery
• Flexible working environment
• Competitive reward including annual company bonus
• Employee recognition schemes
• 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays + option to buy up to 5 additional days annually
• Employer contribution to pension (employee does not have to contribute)
• Life assurance cover 4x basic salary
• Private Medical Insurance, including optical and dental cover.
• Group income protection
• Employee assistance program
• Health Cash Plan
• Access to company subsidized gym membership.
• Eligibility for an option grant to subscribe to shares in Bicycle Therapeutics plc.
• Cycle to work scheme

Bicycle Therapeutics is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, or veteran status.