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Senior Project Manager — Structural Biology & Computational Drug Discovery

Spain

About Xebia

With over 20 years of experience, our global network of passionate technologists and pioneering craftsmen deliver cutting-edge technology and game-changing consulting to companies on the brink of transformation. Since 2001, we have grown from a Java company into a full-service digital consulting company with 4500+ professionals working on a worldwide ambition.

We are organized in complementary chapters – teams with a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience within a particular field, such as Agile, DevOps, Data and AI, Cloud, Software Technology, Functional Programming, Low Code, and Microsoft.

We help the world’s top 250 companies and category leaders overcome digital challenges, embrace innovation, adopt new technology, and implement new business models. In addition to high-quality consulting, we also provide offshoring and nearshoring services.

For more details please visit www.xebia.com

Senior Project Manager — Structural Biology & Computational Drug Discovery 

Position Summary 

We are seeking a highly accomplished Senior Project Manager to lead and coordinate complex, multi-disciplinary research initiatives at the intersection of structural biology and AI-powered drug discovery. The successful candidate will possess deep scientific literacy in protein structure, molecular biology, and computational chemistry, alongside proven expertise operating Insilicode's suite of in silico tools for drug design and target analysis. 

In this pivotal role, you will serve as the strategic link between experimental biology teams, computational scientists, data engineers, and executive leadership — driving projects from target identification through to preclinical candidate selection with efficiency, clarity, and scientific rigor. 

Key Responsibilities 

Project Leadership & Strategy 

  • Own the end-to-end project lifecycle for structural biology and computational drug discovery programs, from scoping and planning through delivery and handoff. 
  • Define project milestones, critical paths, and resource requirements in collaboration with scientific leads, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. 
  • Facilitate cross-functional team meetings, scientific reviews, and stakeholder updates, distilling complex findings into actionable decisions. 
  • Proactively identify risks — scientific, operational, and technical — and develop mitigation strategies to maintain program momentum. 

Insilicode Platform & In Silico Workflows 

  • Serve as a power user and internal champion of Insilicode, configuring and managing virtual screening campaigns, molecular docking workflows, ADMET prediction pipelines, and structure-based design studies. 
  • Coordinate with IT and data teams to ensure Insilicode environments are correctly provisioned, integrated with internal data systems, and kept up to date. 
  • Train and onboard scientists in Insilicode best practices; develop SOPs and workflow documentation for reproducible in silico research. 
  • Evaluate and interpret Insilicode outputs in the context of experimental data, communicating insights clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. 

Structural Biology Coordination 

  • Work closely with X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and NMR teams to align structural data generation timelines with downstream computational analyses. 
  • Oversee structure determination workflows, PDB deposition processes, and integration of resolved protein structures into Insilicode platforms. 
  • Manage relationships with CROs and academic collaborators providing structural biology services, ensuring data quality, timeliness, and contractual compliance. 
  • Champion the integration of structural insights into hit-to-lead and lead optimization programs, translating 3D structural data into medicinal chemistry hypotheses. 

Stakeholder Management & Reporting 

  • Prepare and present project status reports, milestone summaries, and scientific readouts to senior leadership, board members, and external partners. 
  • Maintain comprehensive project documentation using LIMS, ELN, and project management platforms (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project). 
  • Partner with business development teams to support due diligence processes, licensing discussions, and grant applications with scientific and technical documentation. 

 

Required Qualifications 

  • Ph.D. or Master's degree in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Chemistry, or a closely related discipline. 
  • 7+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or academic research settings, with at least 3 years in a dedicated project management capacity. 
  • Demonstrated, hands-on experience using Insilicode for drug discovery applications (virtual screening, structure-based drug design, ADMET modeling, or equivalent in silico platforms). 
  • Strong foundational knowledge of structural biology techniques including X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, homology modeling, and protein-ligand interaction analysis. 
  • Proficiency in interpreting molecular dynamics simulations, docking scores, pharmacophore models, and SAR data within a project context. 
  • Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, balance competing priorities, and deliver results on time and within budget. 
  • Excellent communication skills — written and oral — with the ability to translate scientific complexity into clear, compelling narratives. 
  • PMP certification or equivalent project management qualification is strongly preferred. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience with additional computational platforms such as Schrödinger Suite, MOE, OpenEye, or GROMACS. 
  • Familiarity with machine learning applications in drug discovery, including AI-guided de novo design or generative chemistry tools. 
  • Background in target classes with significant structural biology focus (e.g., kinases, GPCRs, proteases, protein-protein interactions). 
  • Experience coordinating CRO partnerships and managing external scientific collaborations. 
  • Working knowledge of bioinformatics pipelines and data management standards in drug discovery (e.g., FAIR data principles, ontologies). 

 

Core Competencies 

✓  Scientific Acumen 

✓  Strategic Thinking 

✓  Cross-Functional Leadership 

✓  Insilicode & Computational Tooling 

✓  Stakeholder Communication 

✓  Risk Management 

✓  Organizational Excellence 

✓  Problem Solving & Decision Making 

 

While the talent scarcity within IT is at an all-time high and still growing, Xebia sticks to the mission of “aiming for thought leadership”, thus working with the best professionals in the market.

At Xebia, you will get the chance to work with passionate professionals within their field of expertise. We offer more than just a job, we offer a career. We are looking forward to working with you!

Xebia is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.

Please feel free to share your preferred pronouns with us during the application process.

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