Director of Drug Discovery and R&D Technologies

Director / Head of Drug Discovery & R&D Technologies

100% Remote

Full Time Position

Role Summary

The Director of Drug Discovery & R&D Technologies will lead the strategic selection, integration, and advancement of cutting-edge technologies across the drug development lifecycle. This role bridges biology, chemistry, data science, and digital infrastructure to accelerate discovery, improve decision-making, and enhance pipeline productivity from target identification through clinical development and manufacturing.

The role requires deep scientific understanding, strong technology foresight, and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary R&D teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Drug Discovery Technologies

• Lead implementation and optimization of high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms for compound identification.
• Drive structure-based drug design (SBDD) efforts leveraging X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and NMR data.
• Oversee computational chemistry and AI-driven discovery, including virtual screening, QSAR modeling, and de novo molecule design.
• Advance fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) programs and chemical biology tools for target validation and pathway elucidation.

2. Biology & Target Validation

• Guide use of CRISPR/Cas9 and gene-editing technologies for functional genomics and target validation.
• Integrate omics platforms (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) into discovery and translational workflows.
• Support single-cell technologies and phenotypic assays for mechanism-of-action studies.
• Oversee development of robust in vitro disease models and cell-based assay systems.

3. Preclinical Development

• Direct ADME/PK and exposure-response modeling strategies to support candidate selection.
• Oversee in vivo disease models and translational relevance assessments.
• Implement predictive toxicology platforms combining in silico and in vitro methods.
• Lead biomarker discovery and translational modeling efforts to de-risk clinical entry.

4. Clinical Development Technologies

• Partner with clinical teams to deploy EDC and CTMS platforms for efficient trial execution.
• Leverage real-world evidence (RWE) and digital health data to support clinical strategy.
• Enable wearables, digital biomarkers, and decentralized trial designs.
• Apply AI-driven tools for patient recruitment, trial optimization, and data analysis.

5. CMC & Manufacturing R&D

• Collaborate with CMC teams on bioprocess engineering and scale-up strategies.
• Support adoption of continuous manufacturing and process analytical technologies (PAT).
• Embed Quality by Design (QbD) principles into development programs.
• Oversee formulation science initiatives addressing stability, delivery, and patient usability.

6. Advanced & Emerging Technologies

• Evaluate and integrate cell and gene therapy platforms (CAR-T, AAV, CRISPR).
• Support development of mRNA-based therapeutics and delivery technologies.
• Advance nanomedicine and targeted delivery systems.
• Champion AI/ML applications across the full R&D pipeline.
• Explore digital twins for drug development and predictive simulation tools.

7. Supporting Digital Infrastructure

• Ensure robust cloud computing and high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.
• Promote FAIR data principles, data integration, and knowledge graph development.
• Oversee implementation and governance of ELN/LIMS systems.
• Ensure cybersecurity, data integrity, and GxP compliance across digital platforms.

Qualifications

Education

• PhD or equivalent experience in Chemistry, Biology, Bioengineering, Computational Sciences, or related field.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences R&D.
• Demonstrated leadership in drug discovery, translational science, or R&D technology strategy.
• Proven experience integrating digital, computational, and experimental platforms.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of the end-to-end drug development lifecycle.
• Ability to translate emerging technologies into practical R&D impact.
• Experience leading cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on technical credibility.
• Excellent communication skills with scientists, clinicians, engineers, and executives.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in AI/ML-driven drug discovery or digital transformation initiatives.
• Exposure to regulated environments (FDA, EMA) and clinical development.
• Background in advanced modalities (cell therapy, gene therapy, RNA therapeutics).

Kindly reply with your resume to Email- jnehru@nam-it.com