Head of AI – Biotechnology & Artificial Intelligence

An ambitious, deep-tech organisation at the forefront of biotechnology and artificial intelligence is seeking a visionary Head of AI to lead the development of next-generation biological foundation models. The client has two site locations, Cambridge, UK & Paris, France, and hybrid working from either office is required.

Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive and ethically sourced database of natural biodiversity, our platform enables cutting-edge research and discovery across academia and industry. Following a successful Series B funding round (£45 million), we are expanding our AI capabilities to develop state-of-the-art models and algorithms that will shape the future of biology and bioengineering.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing AI team, influence partnerships with global technology leaders, and build on an exceptional data infrastructure that is entirely new to science.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of AI and machine learning researchers/engineers, providing technical direction and fostering a culture of creativity and excellence
• Design and implement novel AI/ML models and algorithms, balancing exploratory research with robust, scalable solutions
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams of biologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers to translate research objectives into applied outcomes
• Oversee multiple concurrent research streams, ensuring strategic alignment with organisational goals
• Contribute to the overall AI systems architecture, supporting the transition from research prototypes to production-level tools
• Represent the company’s AI leadership through academic and industry collaborations, conferences, and publications
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and senior members of the AI team
• Shape and execute a long-term AI strategy rooted in novel biological data and real-world application.

Essential requirements

• Postgraduate degree (PhD or MSc) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, or a related field
• At least 5 years of industry experience in AI/ML research or engineering, with a minimum of 4 years in a technical leadership role or 3 years in people management
• Strong publication record or equivalent practical expertise in areas such as generative AI, deep learning, or computational biology
• Proven experience applying AI techniques to biological challenges, particularly in areas like protein design or genomics
• Demonstrated success in leading high-impact AI projects and delivering real-world solutions
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience training large generative models, including distributed training across GPU clusters or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
• Strong critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable

• Experience in protein or DNA bioinformatics
• Proficiency in MLOps and machine learning infrastructure
• Background in software engineering and data pipelines (e.g., using Airflow or similar tools)
• Familiarity with cloud-based model deployment
• Exposure to Agile project management methodologies.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven biotechnology from both a strategic and technical perspective, working with a uniquely rich dataset and an ambitious cross-functional team.