At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead scientific strategy and communications in microbiome and probiotic science.
- Company: Globally recognised organisation in the probiotic and functional food sector.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence scientific strategy and build meaningful relationships.
- Other info: Flexibility to travel across the UK, Europe, and internationally.
- Why this job: Shape the scientific reputation of a leading organisation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in scientific affairs, nutrition, or microbiome science; PhD preferred.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Location: UK
Travel: UK, Europe & International travel required
Function: Scientific Affairs / Nutrition / Healthcare
Are you a senior scientific professional with a passion for microbiome science, probiotics and nutrition? We are looking for an experienced Head of Scientific Affairs to lead scientific strategy, thought leadership and science communications for a well-established international organisation operating at the forefront of probiotic and functional food science. This is a high-profile role for someone who can combine scientific credibility with commercial awareness, translating complex evidence into compelling, accurate and responsible communications for healthcare professionals, academics, policymakers, media, consumers and internal stakeholders.
The Role
- Act as the organisation's senior scientific authority, shaping the UK scientific affairs strategy while working closely with European and global science teams.
- Build and strengthen relationships with key opinion leaders across academia, healthcare, medical associations, research institutions and the food industry.
- Develop and execute the UK scientific affairs strategy in alignment with European and global priorities.
- Lead the scientific content strategy for healthcare professionals and provide expert scientific input into communications, PR and commercial initiatives.
- Identify emerging scientific, regulatory and societal trends across microbiome science, nutrition and gut health.
- Coordinate scientific data collection, research and human studies relating to probiotic strains, products and new functional foods.
- Ensure scientific claims and communications are supported by robust evidence and comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
- Oversee UK and Ireland-based research, ensuring studies are appropriately established and conducted to recognised standards.
- Represent the organisation at national and international conferences and scientific meetings.
- Develop educational and scientific communications for healthcare professionals, scientific audiences and consumers.
- Work collaboratively with Communications, PR, Regulatory and Commercial teams to translate scientific insights into credible stakeholder engagement programmes.
- Provide scientific counsel to senior management on opportunities, risks and reputation-related issues.
- Review and approve scientifically focused materials produced by other departments.
- Manage, motivate and develop members of the scientific affairs team.
- Manage scientific projects and contribute to departmental budget planning and control.
- Work closely with European Science colleagues to ensure consistency of scientific policies, materials and priorities.
- Report on departmental projects and scientific developments to UK and European leadership.
About You
- 5+ years' relevant experience in scientific affairs, nutrition, healthcare, academia, microbiome science or a related discipline.
- A postgraduate scientific qualification; a PhD would be highly desirable.
- Experience developing and delivering scientific or medical affairs strategies.
- Experience organising and/or overseeing human studies and research projects.
- Strong knowledge of food, nutrition and health claim regulations and experience working within a regulated environment.
- Proven ability to critically evaluate scientific studies and translate complex evidence for different audiences.
- Experience communicating with scientific experts, healthcare professionals and the general public.
- Strong team and project management experience, including budget management.
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with senior external stakeholders and key opinion leaders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The confidence and credibility to represent an organisation externally at conferences and scientific forums.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to apply biological and health information within a business environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to scientific accuracy and integrity.
A full UK driving licence would be advantageous, and the role requires the flexibility to travel across the UK, Europe and internationally, including overnight stays.
Why Join?
This is an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the scientific reputation of a globally recognised organisation within the probiotic, microbiome and functional food sector. You will have the opportunity to influence scientific strategy at a senior level, build meaningful relationships across the healthcare and academic communities, lead a specialist team and help translate cutting-edge science into responsible, impactful communications.
Head of Scientific Affairs in London employer: Antal International Network
As a leading UK-regulated banking institution, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in regulatory reporting not only enhances our operational efficiency but also empowers our employees to take on meaningful challenges and advance their careers. With competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, we offer an exceptional environment for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in the banking sector.
Contact Details:
Antal International Network Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Scientific Affairs in London
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Antal International Network, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Scientific Affairs in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Antal International Network. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Antal International Network. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Antal International Network
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Antal International Network. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Antal International Network to drive research projects forward.
