"Chief Innovation Officer (H/F/X)"

Job Details

The Institut Pasteur, a global leader in the field of infectious diseases and life sciences, continues its mission by tackling the most pressing health challenges facing humanity. Founded in 1887 by Louis Pasteur and led since January 2024 by Professor Yasmine Belkaid, the Institut Pasteur brings together more than 3,000 members from over 100 nationalities. From fundamental understanding of biological processes to pandemic preparedness, the Institut Pasteur is committed to protecting and improving human health worldwide. A private, non-profit foundation, the Institut Pasteur is dedicated to four core missions: research, public health, education, and innovation. As a member of the Pasteur Network, the Institut Pasteur fosters collaborations that strengthen scientific excellence around the globe.

The Directorate of Research Applications and Industrial Relations (DARRI) of the Institut Pasteur is tasked with identifying, structuring, and supporting high-potential scientific projects in order to transform discoveries into tangible health solutions through industrial and NGO partnerships, licensing agreements, or the creation of start-ups.

In an environment characterised by accelerated innovation cycles, increasing regulatory and financial complexity, intensified international competition, and the need for equitable access to innovation, research valorisation represents a major strategic lever to strengthen the Institut’s scientific and societal impact, while ensuring its financial sustainability and the independence of its research activities.

Supported by dedicated funding and an innovation accelerator designed to advance the most promising projects through maturation and development stages, DARRI sits at the heart of the Institut Pasteur’s strategic priorities and ambitions. This must translate into action in several ways.

Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Excellence and Business Requirements

One of the main challenges lies in the structural gap between:

• the logic and timelines of fundamental research,
• and the expectations of industrial partners in terms of technological maturity, risk management, intellectual property, market positioning and return on investment.

DARRI must play a central role in building durable bridges between the Scientific Directorate and the economic world.

This implies:

• Close and structured collaboration with the Scientific Directorate in defining valorisation priorities.
• Early integration of business considerations into scientific projects (IP, developability, market attractiveness, partnership strategy).
• Raising awareness among research teams of industrial opportunities and constraints.
• Joint governance ensuring strategic alignment between scientific excellence and economic and societal impact.

The objective is not to steer science toward short-term outcomes, but to increase the likelihood that major discoveries ultimately reach patients and society.

Positioning as an Architect and Facilitator of Alliances

More than a support function, DARRI must act as a strategic driver of transformation and impact, at the core of the Institut’s scientific strategy.

Its role spans the entire R&D continuum:

• Early-stage and fundamental research.
• Technological maturation.
• Preclinical and clinical co-development.
• Creation of start-ups.
• Strategic industrial alliances.
• Partnerships with NGOs and global health stakeholders.

DARRI acts as:

• An architect of complex partnerships.
• A facilitator of multi-stakeholder agreements.
• A valorise of strategic scientific assets (patents, platforms, data, know-how, biological collections).
• A negotiator of high-stakes international alliances.

This ability to operate across all levels of maturity represents a major differentiating advantage, provided it is properly structured and strengthened.

Generating Impact and Financial Sustainability

Valorisation activities (€20–30 million in annual revenue, 250–350 contracts per year, 230 patent families, a team of 30–40 people) constitute a strategic funding pillar.

Business Development will be absolutely central to this role in order to maximise revenues derived from innovation and industrial partnerships, which are essential to the Institut Pasteur’s economic model.

The Role of the Chief Innovation Officer

The Chief Innovation Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Institut Pasteur and is a member of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Institut’s strategic actions and processes.

His or her main responsibilities are as follows:

• Define, together with the Executive Management and in close coordination with the Scientific Directorate, the Institut Pasteur’s medium and long-term global valorisation strategy, in particular the strategy for the identification, development, and protection of inventions.
• Lead major technology transfer projects and strategic alliances.
• Optimise resources generated through valorisation activities.
• Coordinate all valorisation projects, playing a key role in identifying and assessing opportunities.
• Oversee the DARRI departments (Detection; Patents and Inventions; Innovation Development; Technology Transfer and Company Creation; Industrial Agreements).
• Identify French and international industrial partners and lead negotiations with them to establish the terms of agreements, while monitoring their contractual and financial implementation.
• Safeguard the Institut’s interests and intellectual property in coordination with the Legal Department.

Profile of the Chief Innovation Officer

• High-level scientific and industrial experience (PhD in Biology, MD, or Doctorate in Pharmacy or Chemistry, complemented by a business qualification such as an MBA), with excellent knowledge of intellectual property and negotiation issues.
• Experience combining fundamental or applied research, industry (R&D), business development, and valorisation in scientific, biotechnological, or pharmaceutical fields.
• Over twenty years of experience in team management and overseeing complex projects.
• Fluency in English is essential.
• International recognition in the life sciences ecosystem, both academically and industrially, including in the United States.

Required skills

Knowledge

• International academic and industrial environments
• Biotechnological and pharmaceutical ecosystems
• Complexity of fundamental research environments

Expertise / Know-how

• Management of complex and international projects
• Mastery of high-stakes strategic negotiations
• Valorisation of scientific assets at various stages of maturity
• Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to foster team spirit and motivate collaborators
• Budgetary and legal risk management

Interpersonal Skills / Personal Qualities

• Cross-functional leadership and ability to build bridges between teams and different cultures
• Diplomacy and influencing skills
• Results-driven mindset with strong impact orientation
• Emotional intelligence and active listening
• Analytical and synthesis capabilities
• Innovation mindset and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Alignment with the values of the Institut Pasteur

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Institut Pasteur is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications meeting the job requirements, regardless of origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, nationality, or background. Non-linear career paths, including career breaks (e.g., parental leave, health or caregiving responsabilities) are fully acknowledged and valued in our recruitment and evaluation processes.

Send your CV and cover letter to recrutement@pasteur.fr, indicating the reference: 2026-16541