Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London
Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits

Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London

City of London Full-Time 120000 - 200000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a high-impact team in AI-driven drug discovery and collaborate with top pharma companies.
  • Company: Pioneering tech provider transforming AI in pharmaceutical R&D.
  • Benefits: Salary up to £200,000, remote work, equity, and comprehensive benefits.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of drug discovery with cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and 8+ years in computational drug discovery.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic, remote-first environment with strong career growth potential.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 200000 £ per year.

Our client is a pioneering technology provider that is reshaping how AI is applied within pharmaceutical R&D. They provide a neutral, production-grade infrastructure that enables global pharmaceutical companies to collaborate securely on large-scale AI models without ever sharing their proprietary data. By leveraging federated computing, they power multi-partner data networks across small molecules, antibodies, and protein folding. Unlike traditional biotech firms, they do not develop their own drug assets; instead, they empower their partners' computational teams to accelerate their own discovery programmes.

We are seeking a Director of Computational Drug Discovery to build and lead a high-impact team of application scientists. This is a hands-on, externally facing leadership role requiring deep scientific credibility and the ability to engage directly with senior stakeholders at the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. You will bridge the gap between cutting-edge Machine Learning and real-world drug discovery, ensuring our models and workflows deliver measurable value in practical industrial settings.

Responsibilities:

  • Own the scientific direction across various modalities and data types, defining which drug discovery problems and workflows the platform prioritises.
  • Act as a peer-level counterpart to pharma R&D leaders, providing authoritative guidance grounded in real-world discovery experience to help get new collaborations over the line.
  • Lead an established core team including senior medicinal chemists, machine learning engineers and oversee the recruitment of additional members over the next 6–9 months.
  • Partner with internal Product and ML/AI teams to translate customer needs into clear model requirements and enterprise-grade software solutions.
  • Represent the organisation within the scientific ecosystem through publications, talks, and direct engagement with the community.

Requirements for the role:

  • PhD in computational chemistry, cheminformatics, computational drug discovery, or a closely related field.
  • 8+ years of post-PhD industry experience in computational drug discovery, with a proven impact on programmes from hit finding through to lead optimisation.
  • Deep, practical knowledge of structure-based and ligand-based design, ADMET modelling, and the integration of biophysical data.
  • Exceptional understanding of modern ML approaches and the judgement to know where these technologies materially improve outcomes.
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, venture-backed, remote-first environment.
  • A clear drive to enable customer discovery programmes rather than running internal pipelines.
  • Strong understanding of Co-Folding and OpenFold3.

What can they offer you?

  • A high-influence role working closely with the founders to shape company strategy.
  • Up to 200,000 Euros or GBP depending on location salary.
  • Remote-first working with a dedicated work-from-home budget and co-working stipend.
  • Comprehensive suite of benefits, including a wellbeing budget and mental health support.
  • Generous holiday allowance.

If you think you would be a good fit, drop over your CV and we will give you a call.

Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London employer: Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™

Join a pioneering technology provider at the forefront of AI in pharmaceutical R&D, where you will have the opportunity to lead a high-impact team and shape the future of drug discovery. With a remote-first culture, generous benefits including a wellbeing budget, and a competitive salary package, this role offers not just a job but a chance to make a meaningful impact in the industry. Collaborate with top-tier pharmaceutical companies while enjoying the flexibility and support that fosters both personal and professional growth.
Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™

Contact Detail:

Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™ Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or at conferences. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in AI and drug discovery. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

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, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London

Computational Drug Discovery
Machine Learning
Pharmaceutical R&D
Scientific Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Management
Medicinal Chemistry
Cheminformatics
Structure-Based Design
Ligand-Based Design
ADMET Modelling
Biophysical Data Integration
Co-Folding
OpenFold3
Customer-Centric Approach

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of AI/Machine Learning. Highlight your experience in computational drug discovery and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI in drug discovery and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your impact in previous roles, especially in areas like ML applications and drug discovery. We love numbers that tell a story!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of computational drug discovery and the latest in AI/Machine Learning. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the company's focus on federated computing and real-world applications.

Showcase Leadership Skills

As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've built and managed teams in the past, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in engaging with senior stakeholders.

Understand Their Vision

Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and how they differentiate themselves in the pharma/BioTech space. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goal of empowering partners' computational teams and driving innovation.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect in-depth technical questions related to structure-based and ligand-based design, as well as modern ML approaches. Brush up on your knowledge of Co-Folding and OpenFold3, and be ready to explain how these technologies can improve drug discovery outcomes.

Director of AI/Machine Learning, Drug Discovery | Pharma/BioTech | Series A - B2B Platform | EU Remote | | Salary Up to £200,000, plus early equity+benefits in City of London
Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™
Location: City of London

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>