Director, Drug Discovery

Finnish Drug Discovery Center; Turku; On-site; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

A state-owned biopharma research company in Turku is looking for a Director of Drug Discovery. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in pharma or biopharma, a Ph.D. in Medicinal or Organic Chemistry, and extensive knowledge of medicinal chemistry. You will design innovative drug solutions and optimize compounds for safety and efficacy. This role offers professional growth in an impactful and collaborative environment.

Benefits

Innovative environment

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative culture

Impactful work

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in pharma or biopharma.
• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Medicinal or Organic Chemistry, or related field.
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry and drug/antibody design.

Responsibilities

• Design hit finding strategies.
• Optimize lead compounds for efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Work with CROs and collaborator biologists and pharmacologists to drive projects forward.

Job description

Join Finnish Drug Discovery Center!

Finnish Drug Discovery Center is a special assignment company owned by the State of Finland. The core purpose of the company is to evaluate promising drug candidates originating from academic institutions or Finnish biotech, plan and implement research and development, and create an effective channel for the international financing and commercial success of pharmaceutical innovations. We are increasingly investing in early Drug Discovery.

Opportunity

We are broadening our scientific team with 1-2 additional positions, in Drug Discovery and Pharmacology. We are looking for experienced professionals, reporting to the CSO, with excellent collaborative and communicational skills, and with a background in the pharmaceutical industry. We expect the selected candidates to start working latest Q1 2026.

Role

Director, Drug Discovery

Key Responsibilities

• Design hit finding strategies
• Design novel small molecules for drug discovery and development
• Design biological drugs, new modalities and antibodies for drug development
• Optimize lead compounds for efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties
• Work with CROs and collaborator biologists and pharmacologists to drive projects forward

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in pharma or biopharma
• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Medicinal or Organic Chemistry, or related field
• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry and drug/antibody design
• Excellent knowledge of modern synthetic chemistry techniques
• Understanding in ML (machine learning)/AI and Molecular Modelling in drug design is an advantage
• Experience in Beyond Rule of Five / New Modalities is an advantage

Why Join Us

• Innovative Environment: Be part of teams that are pushing the boundaries of science and technology for Finnish innovations.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside dedicated pharma professionals.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to projects that have the potential to change the Finnish biopharma industry.

How to Apply

We are carrying out these recruitments together with JFP Executive Search Oy. Please send your resume and a cover letter (incl. salary request) via email to [e-mail]. Include the position title and the Finnish Drug Discovery Center in the title of your email and Cover Letter. Please apply by Sunday 5.10.2025. In confidential inquiries contact Heikki Vahtera, JFP Executive Search Oy, p. [phone] on Thursday 25.9. between 15–17 or Tuesday 30.9. between 8.30–10.30.

We look forward to hearing from you!