Chief Scientist, Modern Drug Discovery

IQVIA; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 136,000 - 242,000; Full time

Job summary

IQVIA Discovery Sciences is seeking a Chief Scientist, Modern Drug Discovery to shape and deliver scientific vision for next-gen discovery services. This high-impact role combines leadership with AI-enabled innovation, automation, and translational biology to drive scientific excellence and business growth.

You will lead expert teams across biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and computational sciences, defining strategies that align with evolving client needs and industry trends on a global scale.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in life sciences is required.
• Ten or more years in senior leadership within pharma/biotech settings.
• Experience in CRO environments is an advantage.
• Proven track record leading discovery programmes from concept to clinic.
• Strong translational biology and pharmacology expertise with a major modality.
• Experience applying AI and data-driven approaches in discovery.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a forward-looking scientific strategy aligned to client needs.
• Drive the adoption of AI-assisted design, predictive modelling, automation, and translational approaches.
• Provide scientific leadership across a diverse discovery portfolio with rigour and translational relevance.
• Support strategic client engagements, proposals, partnerships, and business growth.
• Act as a senior scientific ambassador with clients, collaborators, and industry stakeholders.
• Mentor and inspire multidisciplinary teams across biology, chemistry, and computational sciences.

Skills

Leadership

Translational biology

Pharmacology

AI in discovery

Computational science

Client engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD or DPhil in life sciences

Tools

AI design tools

Predictive modelling platforms

Job description

IQVIA Discovery Sciences

Location: Flexible Global

Leading the future of technology assisted drug discovery

IQVIA Discovery Sciences is seeking an exceptional Chief Scientist, Modern Drug Discovery to shape and deliver our scientific vision for the next generation of drug discovery services.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a recognised discovery expert who can combine scientific excellence in drug discovery with a passion for AI-enabled innovation, computational science, automation, and translational biology. Working alongside a highly accomplished scientific leadership team, you will help define the talent, capabilities, technologies, and partnerships that will keep IQVIA at the forefront of modern drug discovery.

What You'll Do

Define and execute a forward-looking scientific strategy aligned to evolving client and industry needs.

Drive the adoption of AI-assisted design, predictive modelling, automation, computational sciences, and translational approaches.

Provide scientific leadership across a diverse discovery portfolio, ensuring excellence, rigour, and translational relevance.

Support strategic client engagements, proposals, partnerships, and business growth opportunities.

Act as a senior scientific ambassador with clients, collaborators, and industry stakeholders.

Mentor and inspire multidisciplinary teams across biology, chemistry, protein design, pharmacology, translational, and computational sciences.

About You

PhD or DPhil in a relevant life sciences discipline.

Significant senior leadership experience (10 years+ in leadership roles) within pharmaceutical or, biotechnology industry., Experience of CRO environments is an advantage but not essential.

Proven success advancing discovery programmes from concept through to clinic.

Strong expertise in translational biology and pharmacology with strong track record in at least one major therapeutic modality.

Experience applying AI, computational approaches, and data-driven decision-making within discovery settings.

A collaborative leader who combines scientific credibility with commercial awareness and client focus.

Why IQVIA Discovery Sciences?

Drug discovery is entering a transformative era. This is a unique opportunity to shape how medicines are discovered by combining scientific excellence with emerging technologies and translational innovation in a scaled clinical and data centric setting..

You'll work alongside an outstanding scientific leadership team, collaborate with leading biopharma organisations, and help define the future of discovery services across IQVIA's network.

If you're a visionary scientific leader ready to influence the future of drug discovery, we'd love to hear from you.

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com

IQVIA is committed to integrity in our hiring process and maintains a zero tolerance policy for candidate fraud. All information and credentials submitted in your application must be truthful and complete. Any false statements, misrepresentations, or material omissions during the recruitment process will result in immediate disqualification of your application, or termination of employment if discovered later, in accordance with applicable law. We appreciate your honesty and professionalism.