Head of Discovery - Natural Products

BioTalent; Paris; Hybride; EUR 80 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A deep-tech biotech firm is seeking a Head of Discovery to lead the drug discovery pipeline for natural products. This role involves overseeing discovery programmes, setting the scientific strategy, and guiding cross-functional collaboration. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in advancing small-molecule programmes, experience in assay development, and strong scientific judgement. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to build a discovery function from scratch in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Prestations

Competitive salary and equity package

Opportunity to build and scale a discovery function from scratch

Collaborative, mission-driven environment

Qualifications

• Proven ability to advance small-molecule programmes to lead stage.
• Strong track record in assay development and mechanism work.
• Experience in fast-paced start-up environments.

Responsabilités

• Lead discovery programmes from hit confirmation to lead optimisation.
• Set scientific strategy, milestones, and decision criteria.
• Oversee assay development and execution.

Connaissances

Advancing small-molecule programmes

Assay development

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Scientific judgement

Fluent English

Description du poste

Job Title : Head of Discovery – Natural Products Chemistry & Bioactivity

Company : Confidential (deep-tech biotech)

Location : Paris, France

Working Schedule : Full-time, Hybrid (on-site required)

Start Date : ASAP

About the Company

This deep-tech biotech is pioneering large-scale discovery of natural molecules using synthetic biology, machine learning, and automation. Their platform unlocks the 97 percent of natural molecular diversity previously inaccessible to industry, generating novel scaffolds at unmatched speed. Backed by top European scientific leaders and already working with global players across pharma, agriculture, animal health, and cosmetics, the company is expanding rapidly.

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Discovery to lead the natural-products drug discovery pipeline. You will be responsible for :

• Leading discovery programmes from hit confirmation to lead optimisation
• Setting scientific strategy, milestones, and decision criteria
• Overseeing assay development, validation, and execution
• Directing mode-of-action and target deconvolution work
• Interpreting complex biological datasets to prioritise leads
• Guiding SAR, structure elucidation, and lead refinement
• Managing and recruiting scientists across biology and chemistry
• Driving cross-functional collaboration with platform, computation, and operations teams

You will report directly to the CEO.

Key Requirements

• Proven ability to advance small-molecule programmes to lead stage
• Strong track record in assay development and mechanism work
• Experience in fast-paced start-up environments
• Ability to work across chemistry, biology, and computational disciplines
• Excellent scientific judgement and decision-making
• Fluent English; French a plus
• Experience with natural products or in vivo models is an advantage

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and equity package
• Opportunity to build and scale a discovery function from scratch
• Collaborative, mission-driven environment
• Work on cutting-edge natural-product discovery at industrial scale