Senior Director of Drug Discovery

S3 Science Recruitment; Paris; Sur place; EUR 80 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading recruitment firm seeks a Senior Director of Drug Discovery in Paris to lead small-molecule discovery for inflammatory diseases. The role requires a PhD and extensive experience in drug discovery. Responsibilities include driving strategy and overseeing project teams to ensure successful compound advancement. This is a high-impact leadership position with competitive compensation and career progression opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Prestations

Competitive compensation

Long-term career progression

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience in inflammation, immunology, or autoimmune disease.
• Track record of advancing compounds to preclinical candidate stage.
• Experience in building and mentoring senior-level scientists.

Responsabilités

• Define and execute drug discovery strategy.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Drive structure-activity relationship strategy.

Connaissances

Leading small-molecule drug discovery programmes

Understanding of SAR

Strong scientific judgement

Excellent communication skills

Formation

PhD in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, immunology or a related discipline

Description du poste

Senior Director, Drug Discovery – Small Molecules (Inflammatory Diseases)

Paris, France

Full-time | Permanent

We are looking for a Senior Director of Drug Discovery to lead small-molecule discovery programmes targeting inflammatory and immune‑mediated diseases. This role carries end‑to‑end responsibility for the scientific direction and delivery of multiple discovery projects, from target selection through preclinical candidate nomination.

You will provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across biology, medicinal chemistry and preclinical sciences, ensuring robust, mechanism‑driven decision making and strong translational relevance. This is a key leadership position within a growing research organization, with significant influence over portfolio direction and discovery strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute small‑molecule drug discovery strategy in inflammatory and immune‑mediated disease areas
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams across target biology, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, safety and pharmacology
• Oversee hit identification, hit‑to‑lead and lead optimization activities through to candidate selection
• Drive structure–activity relationship (SAR) strategy and data‑driven optimization in close partnership with medicinal chemistry
• Ensure strong alignment between target biology, pharmacology and human disease relevance
• Set scientific standards, project milestones and decision criteria across the discovery portfolio
• Contribute to portfolio governance, project prioritization and long‑term pipeline planning
• Represent discovery programmes internally and with external partners or collaborators

Profile

• PhD in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, immunology or a related discipline
• Significant experience leading small‑molecule drug discovery programmes in inflammation, immunology or autoimmune disease
• Demonstrated track record of advancing compounds to preclinical candidate stage
• Deep understanding of SAR, ADME / DMPK and mechanism‑based pharmacology
• Experience building, leading and mentoring senior‑level scientists and project leaders
• Strong scientific judgement combined with pragmatic, delivery‑focused leadership
• Excellent communication skills and comfort operating at senior leadership level

Why Join

• Senior leadership role with clear ownership of small‑molecule discovery strategy
• Opportunity to shape a differentiated inflammatory disease pipeline
• High‑impact position in a science‑driven, collaborative Paris‑based environment
• Competitive compensation and long‑term career progression

📩 Applications and confidential discussions are welcomed.