At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead scientific strategy and shape the future of AI-driven biotech.
- Company: Join Antiverse, a pioneering AI-enabled biotech company in Cardiff.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, flexible hours, and relocation support.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence the company's direction and build a high-performing team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery and therapeutic innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in biotech and deep disease biology expertise.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
- Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
- Cardiff, UK | Relocation Support & Visa Sponsorship Available
Build the scientific direction of a next-generation AI-enabled biotech.
Antiverse is looking for a Chief Scientific Officer to help shape the next chapter of the company.
This is a rare opportunity to join an AI-driven antibody discovery business at a pivotal stage of growth and determine not only which programmes move forward, but what the company becomes over the next decade.
We're looking for a scientific leader who can combine deep disease biology expertise with exceptional strategic judgement, helping to connect biology, technology, AI and therapeutics into a differentiated platform and pipeline.
About Antiverse
Antiverse is an AI-driven biotech company developing antibodies against some of the most difficult targets in medicine, including GPCRs and ion channels.
By combining machine learning, advanced cell engineering, antibody discovery and high-throughput biology, the company is building a platform designed to create therapeutics that were previously difficult or impossible to discover.
The next phase of growth is not simply about discovering more antibodies.
It's about building a world-class, disease-informed platform capable of repeatedly generating better therapeutic opportunities.
Current areas of focus include
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- MASH / metabolic disease
- Inflammatory diseases
- Complex biologics and antibody therapeutics
The Opportunity
You will work directly with the CEO, leadership team, board, investors and scientific teams to determine:
- Which disease areas Antiverse should prioritise
- Which targets deserve investment
- Which datasets should be generated
- Which biological systems should be built
- How experimental biology and AI should work together
- How the platform evolves over time
- How programmes are progressed from hypothesis to partner-ready assets
This role is as much about scientific judgement as it is scientific expertise.
- What You'll Be Responsible For
- Defining Antiverse's scientific strategy and long-term direction
- Building and evolving therapeutic area strategy
- Advancing programmes within IPF and MASH
- Leading target identification and prioritisation activities
- Developing disease-informed platform strategy
- Guiding translational biology and pharmacology efforts
- Defining in vitro and in vivo validation strategies
- Working closely with AI and machine learning teams to shape dataset generation
- Leading progression of antibody programmes from discovery through preclinical development
- Supporting partnering, licensing and external collaborations
- Acting as a key scientific representative for investors, pharmaceutical partners and advisors
- Building and mentoring a high-performing scientific organisation
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Significant scientific leadership experience within biotech or pharmaceutical drug discovery
- Deep expertise in IPF, MASH, fibrosis, metabolic disease, inflammation or closely related biology
- Strong biologics and/or antibody discovery background
- Experience progressing programmes through discovery and preclinical development
- Strong translational biology expertise
- Experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams
- Track record of portfolio, target selection and programme prioritisation decisions
- Ability to communicate complex science to investors, boards and external partners
- Strategic mindset with the ability to connect science and commercial impact
- Highly Desirable
- Previous CSO or senior executive scientific leadership experience
- GPCR biology expertise
- Ion channel biology expertise
- AI-enabled drug discovery experience
- Tech Bio experience
- Fundraising exposure
- Licensing and partnering experience
- Experience building platform companies rather than individual therapeutic programmes
Who Will Thrive Here?
You'll likely be a fit if you
- Think beyond individual assets and programmes
- Enjoy connecting disease biology, technology and therapeutic strategy
- Are comfortable making difficult portfolio decisions
- Can operate at both scientific and executive level
- Are excited by ambiguity and company-building
- Want genuine influence over the future direction of a business
- Are motivated by building something rather than maintaining it
Package
- Competitive base salary
- Meaningful stock option package
- Private medical insurance
- Flexible working hours
- Relocation support
- Visa sponsorship available for exceptional candidates
- Modern office and laboratory facilities
- Equipment allowance
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
- Additional Summer Fridays
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.
Locations
Chief Scientific Officer in Newport, Wales employer: Antiverse
Antiverse is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture in the heart of Cardiff. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, we offer comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities, allowing you to thrive in your HR career while making a meaningful impact on our company's trajectory. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values collaboration and creativity in the rapidly evolving biotech sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Scientific Officer in Newport, Wales
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Antiverse. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Antiverse!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Scientific Officer in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Antiverse that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Antiverse.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Antiverse does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Antiverse
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Antiverse. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Antiverse's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Antiverse. This shows your passion for the industry!
