Distinguished Scientist, Group Head Biochemistry

*
* Key Responsibilities:

*
* ** Scientific Leadership & Strategy*
* + Provide strategic direction and scientific oversight for biochemistry activities supporting multiple drug discovery programs across diverse therapeutic areas

+ Serve as the primary biochemistry expert and thought leader, guiding project teams on assay design, target characterization, and mechanism of action studies

+ Drive innovation in biochemical assay technologies and methodologies to enhance drug discovery capabilities

+ Establish and maintain scientific standards and best practices for biochemistry within In Vitro Biology

+ Represent biochemistry expertise in cross-functional project teams and governance committees

+ Use AI/ML and robotics to accelerate drug discovery cycle times.

** Team Leadership & Development*
* + Lead, mentor, and develop a team of biochemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration

+ Recruit, retain, and develop top scientific talent to build a world-class biochemistry organization

+ Conduct performance management, including goal setting, feedback, and career development for direct reports

+ Create an inclusive environment that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and professional growth

+ Promote Sanofi's values of Aim Higher, Act for Patients, Be Bold, and Lead Together within the team

** Drug Discovery Execution*
* + Oversee the design, development, and execution of biochemical assays for target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization

+ Ensure timely delivery of high-quality biochemistry data to support project milestones and decision-making

+ Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, and other disciplines to advance compounds through discovery stages

+ Troubleshoot complex biochemical challenges and provide innovative solutions to overcome technical obstacles

+ Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and platforms to enhance biochemistry capabilities

** Collaboration & Communication*
* + Partner effectively with internal stakeholders across Research, Development, and Global functions

+ Build and maintain external collaborations with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and contract research organizations

+ Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership

+ Contribute to scientific publications, patents, and presentations at external conferences

+ Participate in scientific advisory boards and industry forums as a Sanofi representative

** Required Qualifications*
* ** Education & Experience*
* + Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology, or related scientific discipline and 8+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery industry.

+ At least 5+ years of people management experience, including leading and developing scientific teams

+ Proven track record of contributions to successful drug discovery programs from early research through candidate selection

** Technical Expertise*
* + Deep expertise in biochemical assay development and characterization across multiple target classes (enzymes, protein-protein interactions, epigenetic targets, etc.)

+ Strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, binding thermodynamics, and structure-activity relationships

+ Hands-on experience with diverse biochemical techniques including fluorescence, luminescence, mass spectrometry, surface plasmon resonance, and other biophysical methods

+ Knowledge of assay automation, high-throughput screening, and data analysis methodologies

+ Expertise in the field of protein degradation or molecular glues (degraders-non degraders)

+ Understanding of drug discovery processes from target identification through clinical candidate nomination

** Leadership & Interpersonal Skills*
* + Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing scientific teams

+ Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities

+ Strong communication skills with ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders

+ Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

+ Collaborative mindset with experience working in matrix organizations

** Preferred…