Associate Director, Automated Synthesis

Exscientia has recently embarked on an exciting new journey to build a state-of-the-art automated laboratory at Milton’s Science and Technology Park in Oxfordshire. This radical new facility will seamlessly align with Exscientia’s proven AI-Design to realise our ‘Designed by AI - Made by Robot’ vision, with a key focus on transforming drug discovery timelines and enabling rapid design-make-test cycles.

**As the Associate Director of Automated Synthesis you will be responsible for**:
In this exciting role you will lead a team of chemistry automation specialists to develop and operate a new, cutting edge, AI driven automated synthesis platform. As an inspiring leader, you will have a passion for developing and coaching your team to maximise the potential of each individual. You will be responsible for expanding the company's toolbox of automated synthesis protocols, and provide your team with the tools and support needed to troubleshoot and optimise new synthetic methodologies in line with project chemistry requirements. Working alongside various vendors, you will evaluate new technologies and design bespoke robotic solutions to bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of the automated synthesis platform. You will promote the philosophy to encode and automate every step in the design-make-test cycle, and continually challenge the status quo. You will work closely with our internal teams (Lab Informatics, Biology, Compound Management) to create custom in-house software solutions that maximise workflow efficiency and enable end-to-end process integration. As the platform matures, you will have an opportunity to grow your team and play an active role in recruiting new talent. With support from senior leadership, you will play a strategic role defining roadmaps and justification for future platform enhancements as we continue to grow our chemistry automation capabilities.

**Requirements**:

- 8+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working in the field of Chemistry Automation.
- Proven track record of supervising and building high performing teams, with a passion to develop individual talent.
- Detailed knowledge of Automated Synthesis workflows and tools, including solid/liquid handling platforms, automated reaction execution tools and automated post-reaction purification solutions.
- Significant experience inspiring and leading a team to troubleshoot, operate, and develop automated synthesis platforms.
- Experience leading engineering projects and initiatives.
- A strategic mindset, with experience evaluating and implementing new technologies in line with company goals.
- Innovation with an open-minded attitude to drug discovery technologies and enthusiasm to challenge the status-quo
- Experience hiring and onboarding new talent.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable:

- Experience in leading intiatives, and bringing together cross-functional teams to deliver novel in-house solutions for both hardware and software.
- Detailed knowledge of scheduling software design and integration across an automated laboratory
- Experience establishing and championing best practices and ways of working in a state-of-the-art laboratory.
- Understanding of the interface between chemical synthesis and AI design

**Benefits**
- Work together to make a positive contribution to patients by revolutionising the pharmaceutical industry through AI-driven discovery.
- We will work with you to kick-start or further grow your career - from funding for professional development and conference attendance. To the opportunity to acquire valuable skills, work on problems that matter, and learn from world-class technological and scientific leaders.
- Opportunity to join an inclusive, collaborative and intellectually stimulating culture
- We will work with you to provide a highly competitive compensation as we continue to grow and thrive.
- Our team’s health and well-being is important to us we offer a generous holiday allowance, provide flexible working and remote working to encourage all of our team to manage their own work, time and life along with wellbeing and mindfulness support.
- When you are in the office, you will have access to a kitchen stocked with an endless supply of food for all employees. Along with access plenty of break out areas so you can get to know the people you are working with. Some of the best ideas start with a coffee break
- Hear from our team why they enjoy working here