Scientific Lead - MOA (Associate Director)

Scientific Lead - MOA (Associate Director) – Target Validation

London

About Relation

Relation is an end-to-end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single-cell multi-omics directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure.

This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting double collaboration with GSK to tackle fibrosis and osteoarthritis, alongside advancing our own internal osteoporosis programme. By combining our cutting-edge ML capabilities with their deep expertise in drug discovery, this partnership underscores our commitment to pioneering science and delivering impactful therapies to patients.

We are rapidly scaling our technology and discovery teams, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the most innovative TechBio companies. Be part of our dynamic, interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely to redefine the boundaries of possibility in drug discovery. Our state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, located in the heart of London, provide an exceptional environment to foster interdisciplinarity and turn groundbreaking ideas into positive impact for patients.

We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. Relation is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age. We cultivate innovation through collaboration, empowering every team member to do their best work and develop to their highest potential.

By joining Relation, you will be part of an exceptionally talented team, with extraordinary leverage to advance the field of drug discovery. Your work will shape our culture, strategic direction, and, most importantly, impact patients’ lives.

Opportunity

Join our innovative Discovery team as a Scientific Lead – MoA (Mechanism of Action) and play a pivotal role in advancing preclinical development projects with a focus on understanding disease mechanisms. We are seeking an independent thinker with a deep background in building preclinical drug packages. Your role involves developing innovative ideas, connecting with the lab, and overseeing the development of assays towards the clinic, either in-house or with external partners.

As a Scientific Lead at Relation, you will be a key member of our interdisciplinary team, collaborating with Wet-Lab Scientific teams, ML Scientists, Data Scientists, and other experts. Your expertise in preclinical development will drive strategic priorities, contributing to the design and execution of projects.

Our team is at the forefront of developing experimentally validated machine learning methodologies, transforming biobank-scale genetics data (from genotyping arrays to whole genome sequence) into actionable disease risk genes for drug discovery. Leveraging data from external biobanks like the UK Biobank (UKB) and our proprietary Osteomics clinical trial, we're unlocking new frontiers in genetics.

Your responsibilities

• Lead and oversee preclinical development projects, emphasising disease understanding and mechanism of action.

• Independently develop ideas and strategies for advancing therapeutic projects. Understand and advise on challenges around progressing a potential Target and what threats the programme may face.

• Collaborate with internal labs or external partners (CROs) to develop and optimise assays.

• Contribute creative input to projects, ensuring alignment with Relation's scientific standards and goals.

• Actively engage in scientific research, presenting findings at conferences and contributing to technical blogs.

Professionally, you have

• Ph.D. in immunology, biochemistry, or related field.

• Deep expertise in preclinical development, with a focus on building preclinical packages.

• Industry experience in preclinical development is essential.

• Proven ability to develop assays independently and drive scientific projects.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Passion for making a positive impact on patients' lives through innovative preclinical development.

Desirable knowledge or experiences

• Comfortable working in a Biotech environment

• Knowledge of bone biology and pre-clinical models

• Demonstrable experience of leading a project from target ID to Drug Candidate nomination (pre-IND)

Personally, you are

• A collaborative team player.

• A clear and effective communicator.

• Driven by the impact of preclinical development

• Motivated to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements.

• Passionate about contributing to meaningful advancements in healthcare.

Join us in this exciting role where your contributions will have a direct impact on advancing our understanding of genetics and disease risk, supporting our mission to get transformative medicines to patients. Together, we're not just doing research; we're setting new standards in the field of machine learning and genetics. The patient is waiting!

Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Please note that Relation does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Resumes should not be forwarded to our job aliases or employees. Relation Therapeutics will not be liable for any fees associated with unsolicited CVs.