Senior Director, In Vivo Pharmacology

Job Description

The Company

Ailux is an innovative biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing next-generation biologic therapeutics for chronic respiratory and immunological diseases with high unmet medical need. The company integrates advanced computational approaches with rigorous experimental and translational science across the drug discovery continuum, enabling faster and more informed decision-making from target identification through clinical candidate selection.

As an AI-native biotech and a subsidiary of XtalPi, Ailux combines proprietary computational models with state-of-the-art wet lab capabilities to design differentiated therapeutics against challenging biological targets. The company has established strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical organisations, providing external validation of its scientific platform and discovery capabilities. Looking ahead, Ailux’s vision is to build a fully integrated, end-to-end drug discovery and development organisation capable of delivering the next generation of medicines for patients with chronic respiratory and immunological diseases. By combining advanced AI capabilities with deep biological, translational and clinical insight, the company aims to accelerate the development of differentiated therapeutics with meaningful impact for patients worldwide.

Backed by an experienced leadership team, leading scientific advisors and a highly multidisciplinary organisation, Ailux is approaching a key inflection point as its first wave of therapeutic programmes advances toward clinical development. This is an opportunity to help shape the scientific foundations, pipeline and culture of a rapidly growing biotechnology company operating at the intersection of AI, translational science and next-generation therapeutics.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of In Vivo Pharmacology. We are looking for an experienced, highly skilled and enthusiastic leader of In vivo Pharmacology to join our drug discovery Ailux teams based in China and UK/Europe to establish and lead Ailux’s In vivo teams. Reporting to the VP, Head of In Vivo Bioscience, the role will lead translational and quantitative pharmacology strategies across Ailux’s respiratory and immunology pipeline, enabling rapid, data-driven progression from discovery through early clinical development for novel biologic therapeutics. Working at the interface of computational design, translational biology and preclinical development, you will ensure in vivo considerations are embedded early and translated into clear programme recommendations from hit identification through clinical entry. The role offers the opportunity to shape translational strategy and quantitative decision-making across a next-generation respiratory and immunology pipeline spanning biologics, multi-specifics and peptide therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

In Vivo Pharmacology Strategy and Leadership

• Establish and lead Ailux’s In Vivo Pharmacology function, defining scientific strategy, operating model, capabilities and external collaborations.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing team of in vivo pharmacologists and translational scientists across China and UK/Europe.
• Define portfolio-level in vivo strategies to support target validation, candidate selection, mechanism of action and clinical translation.
• Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to guide programme progression, investment decisions and risk management.

Scientific Excellence and Translational Pharmacology

• Define and implement in vivo pharmacology strategies supporting target identification, validation, lead optimisation and clinical candidate selection.
• Design, oversee and interpret mechanistic and disease-relevant in vivo studies to establish efficacy, pharmacology and therapeutic rationale.
• Develop innovative approaches to quantitative pharmacology, integrating PK/PD relationships, biomarkers and translational endpoints.
• Ensure appropriate selection, validation and execution of animal models internally and through external partnerships.
• Apply deep scientific judgement to critically evaluate model relevance, limitations and translational predictability.
• Provide pharmacology expertise to support regulatory submissions and clinical development planning.

Cross-Functional Programme Leadership

• Partner closely with biology, DMPK, safety, translational medicine, clinical pharmacology and regulatory teams to deliver integrated programme strategies.
• Lead external collaborations with CROs and scientific partners, ensuring quality, timelines and scientific excellence.
• Provide in vivo pharmacology input into IND/CTA packages, regulatory briefing documents and interactions.
• Support progression of programmes from preclinical development into first-in-human studies.

AI and Data-Driven Drug Discovery

• Collaborate with computational scientists to generate high-quality experimental datasets that enhance predictive models and improve decision-making.
• Ensure computational outputs are biologically meaningful, experimentally validated and relevant to translational objectives.
• Drive integration of AI-enabled approaches into experimental design and pharmacology workflows.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

• PhD or equivalent degree in Pharmacology, Immunology, Biology or a related discipline, with significant postdoctoral and pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Extensive experience in respiratory and/or immunology drug discovery, with a strong understanding of inflammatory disease biology.
• Proven track record of designing and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies supporting progression of novel therapeutics, ideally biologics and/or complex modalities.
• Experience developing medicines from discovery through clinical candidate selection and early clinical development.
• Demonstrated ability to critically assess disease models, translational biomarkers and mechanisms of action.
• Experience leading, developing and inspiring scientific teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong understanding of clinical landscapes, competitive intelligence and emerging therapeutic approaches in respiratory and immunology.
• Established external scientific network and experience managing collaborations with academic groups and CRO partners.
• Interest in AI-driven drug discovery and data-centric approaches to medicine development.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic scientific thinker able to influence portfolio decisions and shape research direction.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced biotechnology environment with high ownership and accountability.
• Collaborative leader who builds high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Able to balance scientific ambition with rigorous decision-making and prioritisation.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership Experience

• Demonstrated ability to influence portfolio strategy and decision-making within highly matrixed, multidisciplinary environments
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving biotech environment with high levels of scientific ownership and accountability
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-impact teams
• Interest in AI-driven drug discovery and data-centric approaches

Location: Greater Cambridge Area, UK