An ambitious, deep-tech organisation at the forefront of biotechnology and artificial intelligence is seeking a visionary Head of AI to lead the development of next-generation biological foundation models. The client has two site locations, Cambridge, UK & Paris, France, and hybrid working from either office is required.
Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive and ethically sourced database of natural biodiversity, our platform enables cutting-edge research and discovery across academia and industry. Following a successful Series B funding round (£45 million), we are expanding our AI capabilities to develop state-of-the-art models and algorithms that will shape the future of biology and bioengineering.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing AI team, influence partnerships with global technology leaders, and build on an exceptional data infrastructure that is entirely new to science.
Key responsibilities
* Lead and manage a team of AI and machine learning researchers/engineers, providing technical direction and fostering a culture of creativity and excellence
* Design and implement novel AI/ML models and algorithms, balancing exploratory research with robust, scalable solutions
* Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams of biologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers to translate research objectives into applied outcomes
* Oversee multiple concurrent research streams, ensuring strategic alignment with organisational goals
* Contribute to the overall AI systems architecture, supporting the transition from research prototypes to production-level tools
* Represent the company’s AI leadership through academic and industry collaborations, conferences, and publications
* Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and senior members of the AI team
* Shape and execute a long-term AI strategy rooted in novel biological data and real-world application.
Essential requirements
* Postgraduate degree (PhD or MSc) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, or a related field
* At least 5 years of industry experience in AI/ML research or engineering, with a minimum of 4 years in a technical leadership role or 3 years in people management
* Strong publication record or equivalent practical expertise in areas such as generative AI, deep learning, or computational biology
* Proven experience applying AI techniques to biological challenges, particularly in areas like protein design or genomics
* Demonstrated success in leading high-impact AI projects and delivering real-world solutions
* Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
* Experience training large generative models, including distributed training across GPU clusters or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
* Strong critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
Desirable
* Experience in protein or DNA bioinformatics
* Proficiency in MLOps and machine learning infrastructure
* Background in software engineering and data pipelines (e.g., using Airflow or similar tools)
* Familiarity with cloud-based model deployment
* Exposure to Agile project management methodologies.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven biotechnology from both a strategic and technical perspective, working with a uniquely rich dataset and an ambitious cross-functional team.