Distinguished Scientist, Group Head Synthetic Medicinal Modalities - all genders

About the job

As Group Head, Distinguished Scientist, Synthetic Medicinal Modalities within our Integrated Drug Discovery, Synthetic Medicinal Modalities department, you’ll lead a medicinal chemistry group dedicated to discovering new therapeutic treatments for patients in need. Ready to get started?

The Synthetic Medicinal Modalities department at Integrated Drug Discovery (Frankfurt) unites expert drug-hunters specializing in medicinal and synthetic chemistry. Working closely with Synthetic Molecular Design, high-throughput in vitro Biology and Therapeutic Areas teams, we develop innovative small molecule therapeutics targeting high unmet medical needs in immunology, neurology, rare diseases, and oncology. Our success is driven by seamless cross-functional collaboration, combining deep scientific expertise with cutting-edge AI/ML approaches.

About Sanofi:

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main responsibilities:

• You lead a medicinal chemistry group comprising approximately 10 lab heads and technicians pioneering small molecule drug discovery, leveraging cutting-edge expertise to progress a variety of discovery projects from inception to hit generation, lead identification, lead optimization and clinical candidate selection.

• You contribute to defining portfolio strategies in the small molecule drug discovery space, particularly the immunology/inflammation space. You ensure these strategies align with the company's overall research objectives.

• You drive continuous improvement in discovery workflows, identifying opportunities to accelerate timelines across your group and external partners.

• You champion the integration of AI models and digital tools to enhance scientific productivity and decision-making.

• You actively develop talent within your group through mentoring, coaching, and creating growth opportunities, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and psychological safety.

• You cultivate highly productive partnerships with our external collaboration partners from project start to clinical candidate selection, building work plans, discussing project progress in joint team and steering committee meetings and presenting to internal governance bodies.  In addition, you support due diligence activities, competitive assessments, and the evaluation of external opportunities.

About you

• Experienced medicinal chemist, PhD with 12+ years in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry. Experience as a group leader with people and portfolio responsibility is a strong plus.

• Thorough understanding of all aspects and scientific methods used in small molecule drug discovery, accompanied with deep expertise in certain disease and technology areas, preferably including experience in establishing internal technology platforms, working with external CROs and collaboration partners.

• Strong track record of delivering milestones along the whole discovery path from target assessment to clinical candidate selection, including ability to take critical project go/no-go decisions, balancing scientific rigor and execution speed.

• Ability to build a highly collaborative and interdependent team environment both within the group as well as in the cross-functional network to progress the portfolio forward with urgency combined with a strong desire to develop their team members applying mentoring and coaching skills.

• Excellent communication skills. Admired for your inclusive way of working, you can influence at all levels. You are skilled at presenting portfolio and program strategy, issues, mitigation plans and critical steps to governance committees and senior leadership

• Data fluency and comfort working with digital tools and AI-enabled platforms

• Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences. Demonstrated experience in fostering collaborative relationships within the broader scientific community

• Fluent English required; German language skills are a plus.

Why choose us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
• Benefit from a well-thought-out benefits package that rewards your contribution and commitment.
• We take care of you and your family with a wide range of health and social benefits such as high-quality healthcare, numerous prevention programs and coverage for long-term illness. Our 14-week paid family leave for both parents is outstanding as well as a wide range of childcare benefits.
• Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs. 
• Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science. 
• Enjoy opportunities to collaborate beyond your area of expertise, working with diverse teams across science, clinical, and digital fields to spark new ideas and drive breakthroughs. 
• Join a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core, with Employee Resource Groups and leadership programs that celebrate every voice.

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Pursue progress, discover extraordinary

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!