About AQEMIA
AQEMIA is a next-gen pharmatech company generating one of the world's fastest-growing drug discovery pipeline.
Our mission is to design fast innovative drug candidates for dozens of critical diseases, such as immuno-oncology.
Our unique approach leverages quantum-inspired physics algorithms to power generative AI in designing novel drug candidates—without relying on experimental data.
We already delivered several drug discovery successes within our internal pipeline and through collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. Our most advanced programs are currently in vivo optimization.
About the team you’ll join:
We are seeking an R&D Team Manager to lead and scale our drug discovery team.
You will report directly to Nicolas, the Head of Drug Discovery Platform at Aqemia. Nicolas oversees our largest team: the Platform, which comprises 30 individuals at Aqemia.
We currently have three distinct management positions available, and your assignment will be based on your skills and expertise. Each of these teams is composed of three to five mid-level cross-functional professionals specializing in areas such as Machine Learning or Computational Chemistry.
The objectives of the three different teams are as follows:
1- Identify the most relevant chemical starting points to kick-start many drug discovery programs.
2- Expand chemical series toward highly potents molecules and enable Drug Discovery programs to start studying cell efficacy.
3- Optimize highly potents molecules to make them active in cell-lines and then demonstrate in-vivo efficacy.
Your role as a R&D team Manager at Aqemia:
As a R&D Team Manager, you will be responsible for planning, strategizing, and executing complex problem-solving initiatives. Your role will involve breaking down intricate problems into solvable tasks, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, and translating business needs into pragmatic solutions.
1. Team Setup and Strategy
- Plan and develop comprehensive strategies to address complex problems in an uncertain environment.
- Decompose large, intricate problems into manageable tasks that can be effectively solved with technology and machine learning.
2. Aqemia Scientific Methodology and Rigor
- Apply a scientific approach to all aspects of problem-solving, prioritizing empirical evidence over opinions.
- Foster a culture of rigorous experimentation and data-driven decision-making within the team.
- Translate business problems into practical solutions, ensuring that the team maintains a focus on delivering tangible value.
- Understand the core business issues, identify the necessary skills to address them and develop solutions accordingly.
- Navigate and manage ambiguity and uncertainty, clearly explaining challenges to the team.
- Provide the team with the autonomy to evolve in a dynamic and changing environment.
3. Team Building and Development
- Recruit, build, and develop a high-performing team capable of solving complex problems.
- Create a positive work environment that encourages engagement, motivation, and continuous learning.
- Provide regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities to team members.
- Foster a collaborative environment by connecting your team with other teams at Aqemia.
The competencies we are looking for :
- Approximately 6-8 years of experience, including significant individual contributor roles with a strong technical background in machine learning, computer sciences, or computational chemistry.
- Strong technical background with experience in solving complex problems in applied sciences.
- Excellent methodology and rigorous approach to research.
- Have significant team management experience in a cross-functional environment, fostering daily growth by instilling the right reflexes, asking the right questions, sharing perspectives, and providing insights on areas for improvement to advance their careers and enhance performance.
- Proven track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Pragmatic mindset with the ability to deliver regular value and adapt to changing priorities.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to provide clear direction in an uncertain environment.
- Effective communicator, able to engage and motivate team members and stakeholders.
- You thrive on working collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment that keeps everyone on track.
Our recruitment process
- 1. Discovery call with Recruiter.
- 2. Interview with Hiring Manager (30-40 minutes) - Nicolas (Head of platform)
- 3. On-site business case assessment (2 hours total): Business case evaluation (1 hour 15 minutes) - Nicolas (Head of platform) + Deepdive to manager skills (30-40 minutes) - Marion (Head of people).
- 4. Culture fit interview with Emmanuelle (Cofounder & COO).
- 5. Final culture fit interview with Maximilien (Cofounder & CEO).
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 diseases several types of cancers, with in vivo proof of concept/patent stage programs. Collaborations with top Pharma, including a $140M Sanofi deal.
Interdisciplinary Team : brilliant talent from tech and life sciences.
Experienced Leadership : Founders with 15+ years at ENS, Oxford, Cambridge, and BCG.
DeepTech Recognition: Part of French Tech 120 and France 2030.
Prime Location : Based in central Paris with the possibility of 2 remote days per week.
International Environment : The work language is English - relocation support and French lessons granted if needed.
Strong Financial Backing : $60M raised from leading European deeptech investors
