Frontier Discovery is Versant Ventures’ Discovery Engine dedicated to building innovative biotech companies. Frontier partners with exceptional entrepreneurs, pioneering academic founders, and industry leaders to translate breakthrough science into high-impact medicines. Based in state-of-the-art laboratories across Toronto and Montreal, Frontier houses a multidisciplinary team of scientists and drug developers who work hands-on to conceive, launch, and advance novel biotech ventures.

Position Overview

Frontier Discovery is seeking a highly skilled, self-motivated biologist to join our dynamic drug discovery team focused on advancing small molecule therapeutics. The ideal candidate will have experience leading in vitro pharmacology teams and driving discovery projects, with a proven track record of making meaningful contributions to drug discovery pipelines.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic and scientific leadership for all in vitro pharmacology activities (internal and external) supporting the discovery and advancement of small molecule therapeutics across multiple programs.
- Serve as the biology lead on cross-functional project teams with medicinal chemistry, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology colleagues, providing scientific guidance, data interpretation, project updates, and strategic recommendations.
- Drive the end-to-end small molecule drug discovery process for priority programs, from target identification and validation through development candidate selection.
- Integrate in vitro pharmacology, DMPK,



and in vivo pharmacology data to guide compound optimization and support data-driven candidate selection and progression decisions.
- Develop, implement, and continuously optimize innovative in vitro pharmacology assays, technologies, and workflows to accelerate drug discovery and enable informed decision-making.
- Shape and communicate program strategy, ensuring alignment among cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and external collaborators.
- Supervise, mentor, coach, and develop internal scientists, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and scientifically rigorous team environment.
- Provide scientific oversight and strategic direction to external partners and CROs, ensuring high-quality execution, timely delivery, and successful achievement of project objectives.
- Establish and maintain productive collaborations with CROs, academic investigators, and industry partners to leverage emerging technologies and scientific expertise.
- Evaluate, implement, and champion emerging technologies and innovative approaches to continuously enhance the in vitro pharmacology platform.
- Participate in portfolio planning, prioritization, and resource allocation to ensure effective execution and successful program advancement.
- Represent the in vitro pharmacology function in internal governance meetings and, as appropriate,



in external scientific collaborations, conferences, publications, and partner interactions.
- Effectively communicate complex scientific findings through presentations, technical reports, publications, and interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively contribute to strengthening the organization's scientific, operational, and leadership capabilities while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

- MSc or equivalent education with 15+ years of experience or PhD with 8+ years of industry experience.
- Prior project leadership in the pharmaceutical / biotech industry.
- Experience with various in vitro pharmacology assays (biochemicals and cellular) for a variety of target class.
- Established track record of contributing to multidisciplinary small-molecule drug discovery efforts, with expertise in identifying and characterizing drug candidates.
- Excellent organizational abilities with a proven capacity to manage multiple projects.
- Ability to manage shifting priorities and adapt to evolving project needs.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment.
- Candidate must be a goal-oriented team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong “can-do” attitude.
- Experience mentoring or managing junior scientists preferred.
- Experience in managing external collaborations preferred.
- Functional written and oral bilingualism (French and English) is preferred.

📌 Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director – In vitro Pharmacology (Montreal)
🏢 Frontier Discovery
📍 Montreal