At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the charge in AI-driven drug discovery and build a groundbreaking company.
- Company: Join Deep Science Ventures, a leader in deep-tech venture creation.
- Benefits: Equity stake, access to resources, and support for your entrepreneurial journey.
- Other info: Collaborate with top technical minds in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by revolutionising drug discovery with AI.
- Qualifications: Experience in founding or leading companies and raising venture capital.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Join us to build the company that makes AI do the reasoning work of drug discovery - so a small team can do the research of a large one. We are seeking an experienced founder and operator to join two technical founders as Co-founder & CEO, and to take a built, already-used platform from spin-out through a competitive seed round, Series A and beyond. The role is full-time, UK-based, spinning out of Deep Science Ventures over the coming months.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Drug discovery still runs on human cognition. Progress depends on people reading the literature, joining dots across teams and datasets that rarely talk to each other, and guessing what to test next - bounded by how much any one person can hold in their head, and slowed by the silos between groups. It is one of the most important problems in the world, and one of the least scalable.
We are building the AI that does that reasoning - at scale. The platform generates and pressure-tests drug-disease hypotheses, verifies scientific claims against the evidence, and connects information that today sits trapped across separate teams and tools, cutting the friction and silos that slow research down so a small team can do the work of a large one. It already works end-to-end: in a single run it read an entire disease's single-cell research literature, built a connected map of the biology, and returned drug-target hypotheses - each one marked as supported or refuted and traceable back to the evidence behind it. The technical foundation is done, and it is further along than most companies at this stage.
We go to market through the one thing the engine does end-to-end today - integrated target validation: telling a discovery team which targets are worth pursuing, with the evidence shown. The same engine then compounds, one data type at a time, toward the prize the whole field wants - predicting what a clinical trial will do before it runs, and explaining why.
We imagine a future where the pace of discovery is set by the quality of ideas, not the limits of human bandwidth - monetised the way pharma now actually buys AI: small upfront, milestone-based partnerships. We are now seeking a Co-founder & CEO to partner with our two technical founders and turn this into a category-defining company.
THE ROLE
This is a deeply hands-on role. As Co-founder & CEO you own the commercial and company-building side from day one, working hand-in-hand with the two technical founders, who own the product and the science. You will:
- Lead fundraising - run a competitive seed round and the path to Series A. This is the single most important thing.
- Build the commercial engine - partnerships, pilots and paying customers across pharma and biotech.
- Build the company - hiring, story, board, grant and academic partnerships, and day-to-day operations.
- Shape strategy and positioning alongside the founding team.
Location: Hybrid, UK-based · Commitment: Full-time from spin-out · Equity: Meaningful co-founder equity, milestone-linked.
Requirements
Essential Values
- Driven to build a category-defining company at the frontier of AI and drug discovery, and to challenge how the industry works today.
- Impact-driven: you take the initiative, make things happen, and think from first principles about what's really needed.
- Clear entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to thrive in an ambiguous, unstructured, fast-paced and demanding environment.
- Collaborative by nature - able to partner closely with two technical founders.
Essential experience (must-have)
- Built and/or led a company at founder or C-suite level.
- Personally raised venture capital - ideally led a priced round as a founder.
- A strong, transferable investor network in deep-tech, AI, bio or health.
- Commercial and business-development track record: partnerships, pilots, paying customers.
- Credible in a technical and scientific room - you won't bluff your way through a science conversation.
- UK-based and able to go full-time from spin-out.
Preferred experience (nice-to-have)
- Came from a leading AI lab or AI-drug-discovery company in a genuinely impactful role, and want to build your own thing.
- Have scaled a company from seed to Series A and beyond.
- A network across pharma / biotech business development.
- Experience selling technical or scientific software into pharma, biotech or research institutions.
Benefits
By joining DSV, you'll be joining a team of operators who have founded companies and led the translation of science at some of the most respected universities, charities, funds and government agencies. DSV is a leading deep-tech venture studio with a portfolio of 50+ science-led companies at a total valuation of ~$700m.
- A genuine co-founder equity stake, milestone-linked so that delivering a strong round is richly rewarded.
- Access to proprietary venture-building tools, resources and processes proven to create high-impact companies from scratch.
- Access to DSV's global network of investors, advisors and industrial partners.
- A proven, working platform and a hard technical moat already in place - your job is the market and the money, not the technology.
- Continuous post-spinout support including fundraising, commercial partnerships, recruitment and team-building.
ABOUT DSV
Deep Science Ventures (DSV) is on a mission to create a future in which both humans and the planet can thrive. We use our unique venture creation process to create, spin-out, and invest in science companies, combining available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures. Operating across Pharmaceuticals, Climate, Agriculture, and Computation, we tackle the challenges defining these areas by taking a first-principles approach and partnering with leading institutions.
Co-founder & CEO, AI that does the reasoning work of drug discovery in London employer: Deep Science Ventures
At Deep Science Ventures, we are not just building a company; we are pioneering the future of AI in drug discovery. As a Co-founder & CEO, you will join a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration, offering meaningful equity and access to a robust network of investors and partners. Our supportive work culture fosters continuous growth and provides the resources needed to turn groundbreaking ideas into reality, all while being based in the vibrant UK tech ecosystem.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Co-founder & CEO, AI that does the reasoning work of drug discovery in London
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Deep Science Ventures. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Deep Science Ventures.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Deep Science Ventures. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Deep Science Ventures is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Co-founder & CEO, AI that does the reasoning work of drug discovery in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Deep Science Ventures!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Deep Science Ventures that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Deep Science Ventures!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Deep Science Ventures, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Deep Science Ventures
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Deep Science Ventures that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Deep Science Ventures’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
