Vice President, Head of Discovery Biology (London, UK)

Vice President, Head of Discovery Biology(London, UK)

(Relocation support available for candidates based outside the UK)

Reporting to: Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

About AstronauTx

Founded in 2019 AstronauTx is a London-based biotech developing first-in-class therapeutics that target sleep architecture as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Our thesis being that sleep is a modifiable risk factor for chronic neurodegeneration that has been largely overlooked as a therapeutic entry point.

Our approach combines EEG-based biological endpoints, glymphatic biology, and advanced data analytics to precisely quantify sleep architecture and therapeutic impact. We are now preparing to advance our lead programmes into clinical development, backed by a strong syndicate of life sciences investors.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Head of Discovery Biology will be responsible for executing the company's scientific research strategy, overseeing discovery stage programs, and leading a high-performing team of biologists and a network of academic collaborators. This leader will guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches that enhance or modulate sleep architecture to slow or reverse neurodegenerative processes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Execute the company's research roadmap aligned with corporate goals
• Drive innovation in the study of sleep architecture and its role in neurodegeneration
• Collaborate with executive leadership on R&D investment and portfolio decisions

Programme Oversight

• Operational leadership of preclinical programmes including target discovery, validation, and proof-of-concept studies
• Ensure robust experimental design, data integrity, and reproducibility across research programmes
• Translate findings into clinical development candidates in partnership with medicinal chemistry, translational, and clinical development teams

Team Management

• Recruit, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary team of neuroscientists, biologists, pharmacologists, and data scientists
• Foster a culture of scientific rigour, collaboration, and continuous learning

External Engagement

• Cultivate and manage relationships with academic collaborators and CROs
• Represent the company at scientific conferences and in the broader neuroscience community

Operational Excellence

• Manage research budgets, timelines, and resources efficiently
• Ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards in all research practices

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Pharmacology, or a related field; postdoctoral training preferred
• 12+ years of experience in biotech/pharma or academic research, with a strong track record in neuroscience or sleep biology
• Proven leadership experience in discovery research or therapeutic development
• Deep knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, neurophysiology, and sleep architecture
• Familiarity with in vivo electrophysiology, EEG-based approaches, imaging techniques, and omics methods
• Ability to deploy contemporary analytical methods to leverage large-scale datasets and gain mechanistic insights into sleep biology
• Excellent communication, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing small molecules, biologics, or neurostimulation approaches targeting CNS disorders
• Publication record in top-tier journals relevant to sleep, cognition, or neurodegeneration

Why Join AstronauTx?

AstronauTx sits at a genuinely unique intersection of neuroscience, sleep biology, and drug discovery, targeting a mechanism that is both scientifically compelling and largely untapped by the pharmaceutical industry. You will join a mission-driven team at a pivotal moment in the company's growth, with the chance to define and lead the discovery biology function as we move toward the clinic.

We offer a competitive compensation package including base salary, performance bonus, and equity participation, alongside a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation support is available for candidates based outside the UK.

To Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your vision for sleep and neurodegeneration research to Recruitment@astronautx.bio