Chief Scientific Officer

S3 Science Recruitment; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive compensation

Meaningful equity participation

High-quality living environment in Barcelona

Job summary

A leading biotech company in Barcelona is searching for a Chief Scientific Officer to define and lead the scientific strategy from discovery through early clinical development. The successful candidate will have a strong scientific background, proven leadership experience, and the ability to shape the long-term vision. This role offers executive-level compensation and equity participation, alongside the opportunity to impact a high-potential biotech's growth trajectory.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in biotech or pharma at an executive level.
• Strong track record from discovery through early clinical stages.
• Ability to influence at Board and investor levels.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast‑paced, capital‑efficient environments.
• Strategic thinker with the confidence to make high‑impact scientific and organisational decisions.
• Excellent communicator, capable of influencing at Board and investor level.

Responsibilities

• Set and own the scientific vision and R&D strategy.
• Lead discovery and translational activities ensuring scientific excellence.
• Build and mentor a high-performing scientific team.
• Build, mentor, and scale a world‑class scientific team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and rigor.
• Drive decision-making across pipeline prioritisation, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Oversee scientific governance, data integrity, and readiness for regulatory interactions.
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board to support fundraising, partnering, and long‑term growth strategy.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership experience

Excellent communication

Risk management

Ability to operate in fast-paced environments

Education

PhD or MD/PhD in a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Compensation: Executive-level salary + meaningful equity participation

We are partnering with an ambitious, science-driven biotech based in Barcelona to appoint a Chief Scientific Officer who will define, lead, and own the company’s scientific strategy from discovery through early clinical development. This is a pivotal executive role for a senior scientific leader who combines deep technical credibility with strategic foresight and decisive leadership.

As CSO, you will be entrusted with shaping the long‑term scientific vision, translating cutting‑edge research into robust development programmes, and building a high‑performing scientific organisation capable of delivering value at pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and own the scientific vision and R&D strategy, aligned with corporate and investor objectives
• Lead discovery, preclinical, and translational activities, ensuring scientific excellence and disciplined execution
• Act as the scientific authority internally and externally, representing the company to investors, partners, and key opinion leaders
• Build, mentor, and scale a world‑class scientific team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and rigor
• Drive decision-making across pipeline prioritisation, resource allocation, and risk management
• Oversee scientific governance, data integrity, and readiness for regulatory interactions
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board to support fundraising, partnering, and long‑term growth strategy

Candidate Profile

• PhD or MD/PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
• Proven leadership experience at executive or senior R&D leadership level within biotech or pharma
• Strong track record of advancing programmes from discovery through IND‑enabling / early clinical stages
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast‑paced, capital‑efficient environments
• Strategic thinker with the confidence to make high‑impact scientific and organisational decisions
• Excellent communicator, capable of influencing at Board and investor level

Why Join

• Opportunity to shape the scientific direction of a high‑potential biotech at a critical stage of growth
• Significant ownership and influence at executive leadership level
• Work from Barcelona — one of Europe’s leading life science hubs, offering exceptional quality of life
• Competitive executive compensation with meaningful equity upside

Next Steps

This role is being handled on a confidential basis. For an initial discussion, please apply or contact our retained search team directly.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Research