Principal Biologist

AnaVation LLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading drug discovery company in the UK is looking for a Principal Biologist to accelerate their oncology drug discovery programs. The role requires 8+ years of experience in drug discovery, with a focus on early candidate development. You will work closely with the VP of biology and multidisciplinary teams to foster innovation and manage complex projects. The company offers a flexible work environment in London and opportunities to significantly impact new drug development.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Opportunity to impact drug discovery

World-class interdisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biological sciences such as pharmacology, chemical biology, or biochemistry.
• 8+ years of experience in drug discovery, from hit identification to candidate nomination.
• Experience in oncology or immuno-oncology is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Drive new drug discovery project ideas with biological support.
• Support innovation activities integrating projects into research pipeline.
• Interact with external organizations to ensure quality datasets.

Skills

Objective-driven mindset

Molecular understanding

Biological insights

Concise communication

Data-driven approach

Education

Ph.D. in biological sciences

Master’s degree with industrial research experience

Job description

About AQEMIA

AQEMIA is a drug invention company dedicated to creating entirely new medicines to address major unmet medical needs. At the core of our mission is QEMI, our proprietary molecule-invention platform, which uniquely combines cutting-edge science with advanced technology. Powered by physics-based modeling, statistical mechanics, and generative AI, QEMI allows our teams to design novel drug candidates from first principles.

What makes AQEMIA different is our commitment to true innovation: our research is dedicated to the invention of new molecular entities, not the refinement of existing ones. We focus on inventing never-before-seen molecules, without relying on experimental data, and advancing them into a growing pipeline of proprietary programs and strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Our most advanced preclinical programs are currently in vivo optimization, targeting diseases still waiting for effective treatments, offering our teams the opportunity to work on science that can make a real difference in people’s lives.

For more information, visit AQEMIA.com and our LinkedIn.

About our Team

AQEMIA brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary team of 65+ professionals based in Paris and London. Our scientists and engineers, including chemists, physicists, machine learning experts, and software engineers, work side by side to push the boundaries of early-stage drug discovery.

This close collaboration across disciplines is central to our approach, enabling us to tackle complex scientific challenges from first principles and translate cutting-edge ideas into novel therapeutic candidates. At AQEMIA, team members are encouraged to contribute their expertise, learn from one another, and play an active role in shaping the future of drug invention.

Principal Biology role

Join Aqemia in a role where you will help shape our rapidly expanding portfolio of small molecule programs across diverse therapeutic areas, beginning with oncology and immuno-oncology. This is a unique chance to build a pipeline working closely with the VP of biology, and multidisciplinary teams to accelerate the discovery of clinical candidates.

You’ll become part of a dedicated team focusing on providing biological support across the Aqemia portfolio.

We provide an inspiring and ambitious work environment, where we are changing the way drug discovery is performed.

Reporting to the VP of biology, you have a rare opportunity to impact our portfolio progression. We do not have an internal wetlab to keep agility, thus we work with leading Contract Research Organizations (CROs) for synthesis, in vitro assays, and in vivo assays.

Your responsibilities

• Driving and facilitating new drug discovery project ideas providing biological support in identifying, validating and selecting targets with clear unmet needs in disease.
• Supporting early internal innovation activities with strong molecular understanding, biological insights, and a value chain overview; integrating successful projects into the Aqemia pipeline research pipeline, guiding them towards proof of concept.
• Supporting project teams with screening cascade design and maintenance.
• Interacting with external contract research organisations to identify appropriate models to deliver high quality datasets supporting project progression.

What makes you a perfect fit

• We are looking for an objective-driven biologist who:
• Challenges themselves and others while integrating expertise from internal teams.
• Has a passion for bringing new drugs to market with a proactive and can-do attitude.
• Utilizes a data-driven and rigorous approach.
• Values team success over individual achievements and excels in concise, efficient communication.

Your qualifications & skills

• Education: A Ph.D. in biological sciences (such as pharmacology, chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology), or alternatively, a master’s degree with significant relevant industrial research experience.
• Experience: Strong background in drug discovery, with experience in transitioning projects from hit identification to candidate nomination.
• Preferably, 8+ years of relevant industrial experience within early drug discovery and ideation.
• Hands-on skills: Wet lab experience to effectively challenge and collaborate with CROs.
• Specialization: Experience in oncology and or immuno-oncology is mandatory. A talent for driving and fostering innovation closely aligned with business strategies.
• Soft skills:
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with resilience in the face of challenges, setbacks, and ambiguity.
• Experience in supporting project teams in identifying risks within their projects.
• Experience in research project management in multidisciplinary teams in a complex stakeholder environment is an advantage.

Why Join Us ?

At AQEMIA, we work for a mission: joining us means having your own impact on changing the way drugs are discovered, and helping to shape the direction of our fast-growing company and team.

Expanding Drug Discovery Pipeline: Focused on critical therapeutic areas like Oncology, CNS, Immuno-inflammation... with in vivo proof of concept/patent stage programs. Collaborations with top Pharma, including a $140M Sanofi deal.

World-Class Interdisciplinary Team: work alongside exceptional talent at the intersection of technology and life sciences. Our teams combine deep expertise in AI, physics-based modeling, biology, and medicinal chemistry to push the boundaries of innovation.

DeepTech Recognition: AQEMIA is proud to be part of the French Tech 120 and France 2030, highlighting our role as a key player in Europe’s DeepTech ecosystem.

Prime Location with Flexibility : Our offices are located in the heart of Paris and London (King’s Cross), with flexible work arrangements including up to two remote days per week.

Strong Financial Backing : $100M raised from leading European and International investors