Job Description
Job Opportunity – Synthetic Chemist
Location: Oxford, UK
STARTING SALARY: £35-50K PLUS Generous Bonus Package
IMMEDIATE START AVAILABLE
About Us: Cortex Organics was a spin-out from the Department of Chemistry, co-founded by Yao Shi and Prof. Darren Dixon in 2018. We are now an established and rapidly growing CRO offering high-end custom synthesis, route scouting, and synthetic problem-solving services to Biopharma clients around the world. We pride ourselves on our problem-solving skills and have an impressive track record of solving the toughest synthetic problems and succeeding in the synthesis of difficult molecules where others have previously failed. Many of our projects focus on complex natural product-based structures, where the novelty and structural complexity of the target molecule poses significant challenges. Being closely linked with Oxford and academia, we seek to implement cutting edge methodologies and technologies into our projects wherever possible, thereby creating an innovative edge over traditional chemical approaches.
We take pride in excellence and hard work and deliver only the very best to our clients. This is reflected in our day-to-day work ethic and standards, and we set high expectations of ourselves in terms of efficiency and delivery.
Location: Our new labs are at the Centre for Innovation and Enterprise, Begbroke Science Park, located just a couple miles north of Oxford within cycling distance. There is a direct shuttle bus link from town as well as good public transport links.
Job Description: We are looking for a talented and ambitious chemist to join our dedicated team. You must be highly proficient in organic synthesis, with demonstrated problem solving skills. As part of Cortex, you must be able to hold greater responsibility in managing your own projects and to take initiative in your work when faced with problems. Your work will consist of designing, developing, and optimising routes to complex/novel structures, as well as executing these routes to produce the high-quality final product. This may vary from milligram to multi-decagram scale. Due to the novel nature of the work that we undertake, you will need to be able to develop ideas and scout routes in parallel to the same compounds. Experience in complex target synthesis would be helpful.
Opportunity: This is a great chance to join an exciting and rapidly growing company based locally in Oxford. You will form an integral part of our team, and your work will make a real impact on both the science and the company. As part of our work portfolio, you will be exposed to an extremely broad range of different chemistries, allowing you to further your wider synthetic skills and rapidly gain experience. At Cortex, we believe in rewarding our team for great work and impacts, and you will share in the successes of the company as we continue to grow and expand.
Applications are invited from experienced and talented synthetic organic chemists coming to the end of their PhD or postdoctoral contract in the next few months. If you have any additional questions or are interested in applying, then please get in touch and send a copy of your CV to, and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss with you further.