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 pharmaceutical R&D with innovative AI solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £200,000, remote work, wellness budget, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of drug discovery while working remotely and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and 8+ years of industry experience in computational drug discovery.
- Other info: Join a dynamic, venture-backed startup with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 144000 - 240000 £ 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 employer: 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at conferences. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or blog where you share insights on AI and drug discovery. This not only highlights your knowledge but also demonstrates your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from candidates who are genuinely excited about the role.
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
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 relevant projects that showcase your skills in machine learning and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with the company's mission. Don’t forget to mention your hands-on leadership experience and ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to quantify your success in drug discovery and machine learning applications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 specific projects you've worked on, especially those that align with the company's focus on federated computing and collaboration in pharma R&D.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in bridging gaps between technical teams and stakeholders.
✨Engage with Real-World Applications
Be prepared to discuss how your work has translated into real-world outcomes in drug discovery. Think about how you've used ML approaches to solve practical problems and be ready to share insights on how these can be applied in the role you're interviewing for.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company's mission and how you can contribute. Inquire about their current projects, challenges they face in drug discovery, and how they envision the role of AI evolving in their processes.