Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to design novel drug molecules using AI and physics-based methods.
- Company: AQEMIA, a pioneering drug invention company focused on unmet medical needs.
- Benefits: Flexible work arrangements, strong financial backing, and a world-class interdisciplinary team.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in Paris or London, tackling complex scientific challenges.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery at the forefront of AI and science.
- Qualifications: Master’s or PhD in relevant fields with leadership experience in R&D.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
About AQEMIA
AQEMIA is a drug invention company dedicated to creating entirely new medicines to address major unmet medical needs. At the core of our mission is QEMI, our proprietary molecule‑invention platform, which uniquely combines cutting‑edge science with advanced technology. Powered by physics‑based modeling, statistical mechanics, and generative AI, QEMI allows our teams to design novel drug candidates from first principles. Our research is dedicated to the invention of new molecular entities, not the refinement of existing ones. We focus on inventing never‑before‑seen molecules without relying on experimental data and advancing them into proprietary programs and strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies. Our most advanced preclinical programs are currently in‑vivo optimization, targeting diseases still waiting for effective treatments.
About Our Team
AQEMIA brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary team of over 65 professionals based in Paris and London, including chemists, physicists, machine‑learning experts, and software engineers. Team members collaborate across disciplines to tackle complex scientific challenges and translate cutting‑edge ideas into novel therapeutic candidates.
The role
As Manager of the Molecular Generation Team, you will lead the multidisciplinary team responsible for developing methods to design novel, highly potent and synthesizable molecules. You will leverage physics‑based methods and state‑of‑the‑art machine‑learning techniques to guide molecular design, focusing on 3D structural constraints and target interactions.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic & Technical Leadership
- Define and execute the roadmap for structure‑based AI generative models
- Establish clear, measurable KPIs for synthesis success and novelty of generated molecules
- Drive integration of physics‑based calculations into the generative machine‑learning workflow to enhance chemical realism and relevance
- People & Team Management
- Hire, manage and mentor a highly skilled team of 6+ scientists (AI research scientists and computational chemists)
- Own the recruitment process for key technical hires, ensuring world‑class expertise at the intersection of chemistry, physics and AI
- Foster a culture of high performance, psychological safety and continuous learning, providing technical guidance and growth opportunities
- Collaboration & Delivery
- Ensure seamless handoff of molecular generation algorithms to downstream teams
- Enable integration of physics and AI‑based predictors into the workflow
- Communicate complex scientific progress and strategic risks clearly
What We’re Looking For
- Master’s degree or PhD in machine learning, computational chemistry, statistical mechanics, physics, computer science or a related field
- Minimum of 2+ years of experience leading a machine‑learning or computational R&D team in drug discovery or a closely related field
- Proven expertise in generative AI techniques
- Proficiency in Python, experience with MLOps and cloud computing environments
- Ability to translate fundamental scientific research into a clear, scalable product roadmap that aligns with commercial goals
- Exceptional ability to communicate complex concepts to both specialized scientists and non‑technical stakeholders
- Proven ability to manage risk, handle scientific failure inherent in R&D, and lead an autonomous team in a fast‑paced startup environment
Preferred Mindset
- Pragmatic and impact‑driven: focused on delivering solutions that work in real‑world applications, balancing scientific rigor with practical usability
- Eagerness to learn: strong curiosity for scientific advancements and a willingness to continuously expand expertise
- Love for high scientific challenges: enthusiasm for tackling complex problems at the frontier of AI and drug discovery
- Team‑oriented: collaborative spirit, thriving in an interdisciplinary environment
- Humility: open to feedback and different perspectives, always striving for improvement
Benefits
- Expanding drug discovery pipeline focused on oncology, CNS, immuno‑inflammation with in‑vivo proof of concept/patent stage programs and a $140M Sanofi partnership.
- World‑class interdisciplinary team at the intersection of AI, physics‑based modeling, biology, and medicinal chemistry.
- Prime location: Paris and London (King’s Cross) with flexible work arrangements, up to two remote days per week.
- Strong financial backing: $100M raised from leading European and international investors.
Additional Information
Applications will be accepted until 1st April. Once the role closes, the team will review submissions and contact selected candidates. We may use AI tools to support the hiring process, but final decisions are made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
AI R&D Manager employer: Aqemia
Contact Detail:
Aqemia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AI R&D Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the AI and drug discovery fields on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there and show off your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex problems in the past and how you can lead a team to success at AQEMIA.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for innovation! During interviews, share examples of how you've used generative AI techniques or physics-based methods in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your fit for the role and the company’s mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at AQEMIA.
We think you need these skills to ace AI R&D Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the AI R&D Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in machine learning and drug discovery, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about drug invention and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our multidisciplinary team. Be sure to connect your experiences to AQEMIA's mission.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves advanced techniques in AI and computational chemistry, make sure to detail your proficiency in Python and any experience with MLOps or cloud computing. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative projects!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at AQEMIA!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aqemia
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in machine learning, computational chemistry, and drug discovery. Be ready to discuss how these fields intersect and how your expertise can contribute to AQEMIA's mission of inventing novel molecules.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you've managed projects, mentored team members, and fostered a culture of collaboration and high performance in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so think about how you can make your ideas accessible.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Mindset
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in R&D and how you approached them. Highlight your pragmatic, impact-driven mindset and your eagerness to learn from failures, as this aligns well with AQEMIA's innovative environment.