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
1. Define and lead the scientific strategy for the therapeutic area, aligned with Evotec’s R&D and business objectives.
2. Identify emerging opportunities based on scientific trends, competitive landscape, and unmet medical needs.
3. Champion the therapeutic area’s vision internally and externally, ensuring scientific excellence and innovation.
4. Own the R&D budget and ROI for the therapeutic area, including internal projects and strategic collaborations.
5. Prioritize and oversee early-stage R&D initiatives, from target identification to preclinical development.
6. Provide scientific leadership and collaborate with Operations, Key Account Management and Business Development to identify, shape, and convert R&D projects into partnerships.
7. Represent Evotec’s expertise at customer events, scientific conferences, consortia, and in peer-reviewed publications.
Knowledge & Experience
8. PhD or equivalent in a relevant life science discipline
9. Minimum 10 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
10. 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
11. Proven track record in progressing discovery-stage programs and strategic collaborations
12. Experience in licensing, partnering, and external scientific representation
13. Strong network and credibility in the I&I field
Skills & Competencies
14. Strategic and systems thinker with a future-oriented mindset
15. Strong leadership and influencing skills in a matrix environment
16. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
17. Ability to integrate scientific, commercial, and operational perspectives
18. Experience in omics data interpretation would be a plus
19. 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.