Senior Drug Discovery Scientist

Location: VIB Discovery Sciences Gaston Geenslaan 1 Leuven

VIB is a world-class life sciences research institute in Flanders Belgium with more than 2000 scientists across 4 universities. VIB has a long and successful history of translating scientific breakthroughs into impactful societal innovations and new innovative biotech companies.

The current position is within the VIB Discovery Sciences (VIB DS) team a group of 20 translational research scientists with a strong industry background. VIB DS focuses on the validation and translation of VIBs scientific breakthroughs into drug biomarker and diagnostic discovery projects to support new venture creation and licensing opportunities as part of the VIB Innovation & Business team.

VIB DS is seeking an experienced drug discovery scientist to lead early-stage discovery programs and help translate VIBs scientific breakthroughs into tangible therapeutic opportunities. The successful candidate will bring strong project leadership experience in small-molecule discovery and expertise to help guiding a diverse portfolio of programs spanning different target classes and therapeutic areas.

The role sits at the interface between science and valorization. The successful candidate will help shape discovery programs toward concrete value inflection points supporting out-licensing opportunities industry partnerships and the creation of new biotech ventures emerging from VIBs research ecosystem.

A modern mindset toward drug discovery is essential. We expect the candidate to embrace and sensibly integrate computational approaches including structural modelling cheminformatics and AI-driven methods as part of the broader toolkit to enable program decisions integrating computational predictions with rigorous experimental validation. Familiarity with experimental methods underpinning modern drug discovery will be valued. Collaboration is key at VIB DS therefore the candidate needs to be able to cooperate fluently with VIB research groups and core units computational and experimental scientists as well as external consultants and CROs.

• Build and coordinate early-stage small-molecule discovery project teams owning strategy prioritization and key go/no-go decisions from hit finding to early lead optimization towards valorization
• Drive the integration of computational methods into the analysis of Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) and program decision-making
• Act as a consultant expert in discovery chemistry assay design hit matter analysis hit expansion and hit-to-lead strategy basic pharmacology to the scientific community of VIB

Essential

• PhD in Chemistry Biochemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field
• 510 years of relevant industry experience in small-molecule drug discovery
• Working knowledge on organic/medicinal chemistry
• Working knowledge on molecular modelling and predictive methods ranging from empirical to machine learning approaches
• Experience in collaborating effectively with chemists and biologists
• Demonstrated track record of leading early hit finding and hit-to-lead programs including coordination of cross-functional teams and external partners

Desirable

• Familiarity with experimental methods underpinning SME discovery including biochemical and cell-based assays high-throughput screening biophysical techniques and structural biology approaches
• Ability to critically interpret data from said methods and guide experimental strategy in close partnership with assay development structural biology and screening specialists
• Prior exposure to translational activities — out-licensing industry partnering or new venture creation

Skills

• Hands-on proactive and solution-driven
• Collaborative mindset with strong networking and interpersonal skills
• Meticulous independent and self-motivated
• Proactive and eager to learn
• Fluency in English both spoken and written
• Sense of humor highly recommended

• Candidates are offered a full-time open-ended contract working from our site in Leuven. Part-time working conditions may be negotiable
• Full social security including pension scheme and health care program
• We provide a supportive stimulating and international environment with a clear focus on drug development at the forefront of life science in an awesome team
• Lifelong learning: access to VIBs personal and professional development initiatives

Motivated candidates should apply via the VIB Online career platform ( A complete application file (English) should contain the following documents:

• your cover/motivation letter
• your CV
• at least two references

In case of questions dont hesitate to reach out to .