Head of Biology (Director)

Job description

About Us

We are a cutting-edge drug discovery company leveraging a proprietary computational platform to design molecular glues for challenging protein-protein interactions. Our work spans multiple internal programs across various mechanisms and disease areas, complemented by strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Our operations are primarily based in the UK, with corporate offices in London and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in Stevenage.

Your Profile

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Biologist with a proven history of success in drug discovery, specifically leading projects to key preclinical milestones within the field of Induced Proximity. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader, a dedicated mentor to the biology team, and an advocate for the transformative application of AI in drug discovery. You will thrive in our dynamic, fast-paced environment, driven by the mission to accelerate the identification of novel medicines for patients.

Your Role

As a pivotal member of our leadership team, the Head of Biology will be responsible for:

• Strategy & Portfolio: Defining and overseeing the biology strategy for our entire portfolio, from exploratory research to active projects.

• Delivery: Ensuring the successful and timely generation of high-quality biological data for internal projects and external collaborations.

• Leadership: Directly managing and mentoring the lab-based in vitro biology team, actively supporting their career development and growth.

• Innovation: Contributing to the continuous development and application of our computational capabilities.

• External Engagement: Representing the company as an externally-recognised leader at scientific conferences, engaging with prospective investors, and securing/delivering key research collaborations.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Experience: Over 10 years of experience in Drug Discovery with a track-record of leading projects to critical pre-clinical milestones, including the implementation of innovative technologies.

• Education: A PhD in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, or biomedical science.

• Induced Proximity: Direct experience in the field of Induced Proximity and/or Targeted Protein Degradation, with expertise in molecular glues highly desirable.

• Pre-clinical Expertise:

• Experience setting and executing pre-clinical research strategy for small molecule drug discovery.

• Proven expertise in in vitro efficacy, ADMET assays, and optimising PK/PD and in vivo efficacy for both degraders and occupancy-driven therapeutics.

• Experience across a range of therapeutic areas and target classes, including expertise in neuroscience and Parkinson’s Disease.

• Leadership & Communication: Successful experience in line management, a track-record of presenting science at prominent conferences, experience pitching to investors, and a self-motivated, collaborative approach with excellent communication skills.

• Eligibility: Must have the right to work in the UK.