Chief Scientific Officer - Biotech company

Your new company
Hays Life Sciences has been exclusively retained by a breakthrough AI focused biotech to recruit their new CSO.
We have developed a proprietary generative AI driven small molecule drug-discovery platform that has been nominated as one of the top breakthroughs in the biopharma industry, focusing on developing innovative drug pipelines (difficult-to-drug molecular targets). Off the back of 2 fundraising rounds, raising tens of millions of dollars, we are establishing a global R&D centre in the UK and are looking for a Chief Scientific Officer who can join us and drive the company forward through its next stage of development.

Our proprietary drug pipelines focus on oncology and metabolic disease therapeutics and our first 2 Clinical Trials using AI-designed small molecule drugs started in July 2023, having gone from concept to IND approval in less than 20 months. The company has a number of co-development and strategic partnerships in place with other public traded biotech and pharma companies (including a top 10 pharma company).

Your new role
As CSO you will be leading our scientific efforts to push forward existing molecules within, and add new candidates to, our pipeline.
This is a highly strategic role within the company where you will have significant influence and impact on our research strategies, direction and overall aims as we continue to grow and develop the business.
As well as developing and overseeing the implementation of novel research strategies, you will also be involved in managing go/no-go decisions on additions to the pipeline, develop and optimise our approaches and methods, with a particular focus on developing strategies to help push compounds through discovery and development through to becoming preclinical / clinical candidates. In partnership with our CEO, chemistry, CADD and AI design teams, your experience will help to complete project implementation, providing scientific excellence to influence and impact upon our drug discovery programs.
You will be a key part of the leadership team and have an active influence on research strategy as well as shaping the department as the company goes into its next phase of growth.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Establish research priorities, resourcing and scientific outcomes to achieve the company's strategic goals and objectives.
• Supervise the interactions with external academic, biotech and contract research organisations (CRO), engage external research environment and establish collaborations consistent with internal strategies.
• Mentor and develop direct R&D reports, oversee and supervise the company's IP portfolio for its R&D pipeline
• Build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues and external partners/CROs in structural biology, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and preclinical/clinical development
• Lead the preparation of patent documents, peer-reviewed scientific publications and regulatory documents as appropriate.

What you'll need to succeed

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Molecular / Cell Biology or a related field with significant industry experience working in drug discovery and/or development in a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology setting.
• Demonstrated leadership in drug discovery as evidenced by a strong record of scientific accomplishment and cross-functional collaboration, preferably from taking molecules into IND studies or clinical development
• Proven track record of delivery of key milestones from preclinical target validation to Phase 1 clinical studies and the ability to contribute at a technical level to multiple programs simultaneously, eg developing screening programmes or assay cascades
• Evidence of developing and implementing research strategies
• People management, preferably of cross-functional teams
• Extensive experience interfacing with, and providing scientific guidance to, CRO partners and collaborative partners
• Keen attention to detail and a strong sense of urgency is required, as is the desire and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and team-focused environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Experience of working with AI driven drug discovery would be an advantage for this position

What you'll get in return

• An open working environment that does not lock scientists into structure and hierarchy.
• Freedom to take space to pursue your own ideas and make a difference.
• Opportunity to gain internal and external visibility through interactions with other teams and with world-renowned academic investigators.
• Opportunity to grow both as a scientist and leader through participation in project teams and our career/personal development programs.
• Significant package including equity available

We strive to attract passionate and outstanding talents who thrive on change and are ready to bring real value to the drug discovery industry. Working with us you'll discover a place where you can grow and express your full potential. We place an emphasis on innovation, collaboration and impact. Through meaningful recognition and a motivating work atmosphere, we aim to provide an optimal experience by caring about and valuing our employees.

What you need to do now
If you believe you are the right person to join us on our pioneering adventure, then we invite you to apply and tell us more about your profile and motivation.

If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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