Free Energy Manager
Paris
Platform /
Full-time (French "CDI") /
Hybrid
About AQEMIA
AQEMIA is a next-gen pharmatech company generating one of the world's fastest-growing drug discovery pipeline.
Our mission is to design fast innovative drug candidates for dozens of critical diseases, such as immuno-oncology.
Our unique approach leverages quantum-inspired physics algorithms to power generative AI in designing novel drug candidates—without relying on experimental data.
We already delivered several drug discovery successes within our internal pipeline and through collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. Our most advanced programs are currently in vivo optimization.
About the team you’ll join
We are recruiting a key member to drive AQEMIA success by leading and growing our Free Energy Team.
As Free Energy Team Lead, you will manage a team of four people dedicated to free energy calculations. This role requires a broad background enabling you to develop free energy methods, mentor and expand the existing team. Additionally, the ideal candidate may represent the team externally, engaging with major pharmaceutical companies, and other key stakeholders.
Your role at AQEMIA
As the Free Energy Team Lead at AQEMIA, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our technical expertise in free energy calculations while fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation. Your role encompasses three main missions:
1. Develop and represent AQEMIA technical expertise in free energy methods:
- Develop new free energy methods and improve existing ones, including our cutting-edge Molecular Density Functional Theory Method.
- Challenge and drive content and method development with the team.
- Represent the team externally, presenting and organizing conferences, industry conferences and to potential collaborators.
2. Implement a scientific and rigorous methodology:
- Apply a scientific approach to all aspects of problem-solving, prioritizing empirical evidence over opinions.
- Foster a culture of rigorous experimentation and data-driven decision-making within the team.
- Translate business problems into practical solutions, ensuring that the team maintains a focus on delivering tangible value.
- Understand the core business issues, identify the necessary skills to address them, and develop solutions accordingly.
- Effectively manage ambiguity and uncertainty by clearly communicating challenges to the team.
- Provide the team with the autonomy to evolve in a dynamic and changing environment.
3. Set-up the team for success:
- Recruit, build, and develop a high-performing team capable of solving complex problems: today 4 people with 2 to 3 additional team members.
- Manage collective and individual performance of the team and provide regular feedback.
- Mentor and coach team members to foster their growth.
Create a positive work environment by encouraging engagement, motivation, and continuous learning.
- Foster a collaborative environment by connecting your team with other teams at AQEMIA.
The competencies we are looking for
- Approximately 10 to 15 years of experience, including significant experience on Free Energy methods.
- In-depth knowledge of atomistic simulations and physical-chemistry.
- Deep expertise in free energy calculations and more broadly in statistical mechanics.
- Team management skills, capable of overseeing a team of 6 to 10 people, with prior experience managing PhDs and postdocs.
- Excellent methodology and rigorous approach to research.
- Pragmatic mindset with the ability to deliver regular value for short and long term endeavors.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to provide clear direction in an uncertain environment.
- Can-do attitude, looking for solutions instead of looking for problems.
- Effective communicator, able to engage and motivate team members and stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Thrive on working collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment that keeps everyone on track. Put collective wins over individual wins.
Our recruitment process
We design an effective and straight to the point process for each role.
1. Interview with Maximilien (30 minutes) co-founder and CEO.
2. Interview with Hiring Manager (30-40 minutes) – Nicolas (Head of Drug Discovery).
3. On-site case study assessment (2 hours total):
4. Deep dive into Technical skills (1h30) Nicolas and Maximilien
5. Deep dive into Manager skills (30 minutes) – Marion (Head of people).
6. Culture fit interview with Emmanuelle (COO & co-founder).
Why Join Us ?
At AQEMIA, we work for a mission: joining us means having your own impact on changing the way drugs are discovered, and helping to shape the direction of our fast-growing company and team.
Expanding Drug Discovery Pipeline : Focused on critical diseases several types of cancers, with in vivo proof of concept/patent stage programs. Collaborations with top Pharma, including a $140M Sanofi deal.
Interdisciplinary Team : brilliant talent from tech and life sciences.
Experienced Leadership : Founders with 15+ years at ENS, Oxford, Cambridge, and BCG.
DeepTech Recognition: Part of French Tech 120 and France 2030.
Prime Location : Based in central Paris with the possibility of 2 remote days per week.
International Environment : The work language is English - relocation support and French lessons granted if needed.
Strong Financial Backing : $60M raised from leading European deeptech investors
