At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop and deploy cutting-edge biomedical AI systems at scale.
- Company: Join a leading global pharmaceutical organisation focused on innovative AI solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact in healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence AI development in a dynamic R&D environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of biomedical AI and drive scientific advancements in drug discovery.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale ML systems, team leadership, and knowledge of biomedical data.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Senior Director - Biomedical Foundation Models
- London
The Senior Director, AI Systems will be responsible for building the technical foundations required to deploy biomedical foundation models at scale.
The mandate includes establishing engineering standards, leading model architecture decisions, guiding pre-training and fine-tuning strategies, and ensuring that multimodal AI systems are designed for production deployment rather than isolated research outputs.
The position requires a leader who can balance technical ambition with practical delivery: someone who understands what foundation models can enable, how to build them responsibly, and how to align AI systems development with the scientific and commercial priorities of a global pharmaceutical organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of AI Scientists and ML Engineers focused on biomedical foundation model development.
- Set the technical vision and engineering standards for large-scale AI systems across multimodal biomedical data.
- Oversee model architecture, pre-training, fine-tuning, multimodal fusion, validation, deployment, and production readiness.
- Partner with Applied AI, Analytics, AI Enablement, and R&D stakeholders to ensure models are aligned with drug discovery priorities.
- Build a culture of engineering excellence, technical rigour, and scalable delivery.
- Translate advances in AI research into practical, production-grade systems.
- Provide senior technical leadership across stakeholders, budgets, priorities, and organisational decision-making.
- Support the strategic adoption of AI across discovery, translational research, and related biomedical workflows.
Essential experience includes
- Building and deploying large-scale ML systems or foundation models in production.
- Leading teams of ML Engineers, AI Scientists, or AI Researchers.
- Strong knowledge of foundation model architectures, including pre-training, fine-tuning, multimodal modelling, and deployment at scale.
- Experience setting engineering standards and production-quality expectations.
- Exposure to pharmaceutical R&D or drug discovery workflows.
- Senior leadership experience, including team growth, budget ownership, and stakeholder management.
- UK-based location or willingness to relocate to London.
Strongly preferred experience includes
- Work with multimodal biomedical data such as medical imaging, omics, EHRs, or related datasets.
- Experience bridging AI research and production engineering.
- Familiarity with target identification, patient stratification, translational research, or clinical development timelines.
The role offers the chance to influence how biomedical AI is developed, scaled, and embedded across a major R&D environment - not as a theoretical capability, but as a practical engine for scientific impact.
To express interest or recommend a suitable candidate, please contact us confidentially.
Keywords: AI / ML / Machine learning / artificial intelligence / foundation models / genomics foundation models / self-supervised learning / representation learning / patient representation learning / perturbation modelling / leader / leadership / strategy / strategic / techbio / biotech / biology / biological / biotechnology
Senior Director of AI Systems employer: KEMIO Consulting
KEMIO Consulting is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and leadership training, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers. Our inclusive culture fosters creativity and teamwork, making KEMIO a rewarding place to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in biomedical AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director of AI Systems
✨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 KEMIO Consulting. 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 KEMIO Consulting!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of AI Systems
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 KEMIO Consulting 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 KEMIO Consulting.
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 KEMIO Consulting 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 KEMIO Consulting
✨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 KEMIO Consulting. 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 KEMIO Consulting'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 KEMIO Consulting. This shows your passion for the industry!
