The Head of Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) is a senior scientific and strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the R&D strategy within the I&I therapeutic area. Reporting to the Head of Therapeutic Areas, this role drives innovation, identifies high-impact opportunities, and steers cross-functional efforts to build a competitive and differentiated pipeline. The role operates in a matrix environment, influencing internal and external stakeholders to position Evotec as a leader in the field. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Scientific Direction · Define and lead the scientific strategy for the therapeutic area, aligned with Evotec’s R&D and business objectives. · Identify emerging opportunities based on scientific trends, competitive landscape, and unmet medical needs. · Champion the therapeutic area’s vision internally and externally, ensuring scientific excellence and innovation. · Own the R&D budget and ROI for the therapeutic area, including internal projects and strategic collaborations. · Prioritize and oversee early-stage R&D initiatives, from target identification to preclinical development. · Provide scientific leadership and collaborate with Operations, Key Account Management and Business Development to identify, shape, and convert RnD projects into partnerships. · Represent Evotec’s expertise at customer events, scientific conferences, consortia, and in peer-reviewed publications. Knowledge & Experience · PhD or equivalent in a relevant life science discipline · Minimum 15 years of experience, with solid strategical and technical understanding of the pharma R&D value chain and project deliverables with in-depth subject matter expertise in the I&I space · Drug discovery experience from target ID to PDC of at least 10 years, exposure to planning of clinical development and trials up to PoC’s desirable · Proven track record in progressing discovery-stage programs and strategic collaborations · Experience in licensing, partnering, and external scientific representation · Strong network and credibility in the I&I field Skills & Competencies · Strategic and systems thinker with a future-oriented mindset · Strong leadership and influencing skills in a matrix environment · Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities · Ability to integrate scientific, commercial, and operational perspectives · Experience in omics data interpretation would be a plus · Skilled in building communities and fostering cross-functional alignment FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap. ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.