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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead R&D for renal disease, from target identification to clinical studies.
- Company: Join an innovative early-stage biotech focused on transforming kidney health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of nephrology while building a high-performance team in a growing company.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant science with extensive nephrology drug discovery experience required.
- Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers eager to make a real impact in biotech.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Job Role
Head of R&D will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the scientific strategy for renal disease at an early-stage biotech. The successful candidate will lead efforts from target identification through to preclinical development and into first-in-human clinical studies. This role requires deep expertise in nephrology, with a strong grounding in biologics or novel therapeutic modalities. The position will involve building and mentoring a team, establishing strategic academic and commercial collaborations, and playing a hands-on role in guiding the company’s first molecule towards the clinic.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific and Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the nephrology research strategy, with a focus on identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets.
- Oversee all aspects of drug discovery and translational research from concept through to IND/CTA submission.
- Apply scientific and strategic insight to shape a focused portfolio in renal indications.
Team Leadership and Development
- Recruit, mentor and manage a team of discovery scientists, fostering a high-performance culture within a lean biotech environment.
- Provide scientific direction across in vitro and in vivo models, omics-driven target ID, and biomarker discovery.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with internal stakeholders in clinical development, translational medicine, and programme management to ensure seamless progression from discovery to early clinical development.
- Support alliance management with CROs and external collaborators to access essential expertise, platforms, and preclinical models.
External Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with key academic and clinical opinion leaders in nephrology to support scientific direction and build company visibility.
- Represent the company at scientific and investor meetings, presenting programme progress and strategic vision.
Business Development and Strategy
- Contribute scientific leadership to diligence efforts on external opportunities that complement the internal pipeline.
- Support investor interactions and grant applications by articulating the scientific rationale and translational potential of programmes.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Cell/Molecular Biology, Renal Physiology, Pharmacology) with significant experience in nephrology drug discovery and translational science.
- Extensive experience working in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D, ideally with exposure to biologics or modality-agnostic discovery strategies.
- Proven track record of leading drug discovery programmes from target validation through to IND/CTA-enabling studies.
- Strong understanding of kidney disease biology, particularly mechanisms underlying proteinuria, fibrosis, and/or tubular dysfunction.
- Demonstrated success in building and leading research teams, particularly within high-growth or early-stage environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strategic thinker with the ability to interpret complex biological data and make informed, data-driven decisions in an entrepreneurial setting.
- Experience working with preclinical development, translational biomarker strategy, and early clinical input.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills; able to represent the company to investors, partners, and the scientific community.
- Familiarity with regulatory standards and translational requirements for progression of biologics or other novel therapies into the clinic.
Head of Research And Development employer: Nexia
Contact Detail:
Nexia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research And Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the nephrology field. Attend relevant conferences and seminars to meet key opinion leaders and potential collaborators. Building these relationships can provide insights into the latest research trends and may lead to opportunities within our company.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest advancements in renal disease therapies and biologics. Familiarise yourself with recent publications and breakthroughs, as this knowledge will not only enhance your expertise but also demonstrate your passion for the field during discussions with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership experience by engaging in mentorship or team-building activities in your current role. Highlighting your ability to foster a high-performance culture will resonate well with us, as we value strong team leadership in our Head of R&D.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your strategic vision for nephrology research. Think about how you would approach target identification and drug discovery in our context, as demonstrating a clear and innovative strategy will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research And Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in nephrology and drug discovery. Emphasise your leadership roles, particularly in building and mentoring teams, as well as any successful projects you've led from target validation to clinical studies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your vision for the role and how your background aligns with the company's goals. Discuss your strategic thinking and ability to interpret complex biological data, showcasing your understanding of kidney disease biology.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, be sure to mention any past experiences where you successfully partnered with internal stakeholders or external collaborators. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the importance of stakeholder engagement, include examples of how you've effectively communicated scientific concepts to diverse audiences, including investors and academic leaders. This will highlight your ability to represent the company and its vision.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nexia
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Make sure to highlight your deep knowledge in nephrology and drug discovery during the interview. Prepare specific examples of your past work, especially those that demonstrate your ability to lead projects from target identification to clinical studies.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of R&D, you'll need to build and mentor a team. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-growth or early-stage environments.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various internal stakeholders. Think about how you can illustrate your experience in collaborating with clinical development and programme management teams to ensure smooth transitions from discovery to early clinical development.
✨Engage with External Stakeholders
Building relationships with academic and clinical opinion leaders is crucial. Be prepared to talk about your experience in networking and representing your previous companies at scientific meetings, as well as how you can enhance the visibility of the new company.
