Senior Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology (Radiopharmaceuticals)

Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a novel class of medicines, referred to as Bicycle® molecules, for diseases that are underserved by existing therapeutics. Bicycle molecules are fully synthetic short peptides constrained with small molecule scaffolds to form two loops that stabilize their structural geometry. This constraint facilitates target binding with high affinity and selectivity, making Bicycle molecules attractive candidates for drug development. The company is evaluating nuzafatide pevedotin (formerly 5528), a Bicycle® Drug Conjugate (BDC®) targeting EphA2; zelenectide pevedotin (formerly BT8009), a BDC targeting Nectin-4; and BT7480, a Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist® (Bicycle TICA®) targeting Nectin-4 and agonizing CD137, in company-sponsored clinical trials. Additionally, the company is developing Bicycle® Radioconjugates (BRC®) for radiopharmaceutical use and through various partnerships exploring the use of Bicycle® technology to develop therapies for diseases beyond oncology.

Your mission is to apply your deep expertise in in‑vivo pharmacology to drive the preclinical evaluation of our innovative Bicycle® Radio Conjugates (BRCs). By independently executing and interpreting key preclinical studies, you will generate the critical data needed to understand their activity, guide their optimization, and support the advancement of our next‑generation cancer therapies.

Working location: This role can initially be based remotely, with a requirement to travel to the Cambridge office once per week. We estimate that from early 2027 the position will have a hybrid attendance at our office in London (up to 4 days per week), in the vicinity of Kings Cross, with an ongoing requirement to visit the Cambridge Office up to 2 days per month.

Responsibilities

• Scientific & Project Execution: Take a leading role in the design, execution, and interpretation of in‑vivo pharmacology studies to evaluate the biodistribution, mechanism of action, and PK/PD/efficacy relationships of our BRCs. Manage the execution of in‑vivo studies through a network of CROs and academic collaborators, ensuring timely delivery of high‑quality data. Act as a key technical expert on cross‑functional project teams, collaborating with chemistry, biology, DMPK, and toxicology experts to contribute to project goals. Contribute to the identification and validation of pharmacodynamic biomarkers to support preclinical and clinical development. Perform hands‑on in‑vivo experimental work as required to support project progression and ensure timely data delivery.
• Data Analysis & Communication: Effectively document and communicate complex study results and their interpretation to project teams and in broader scientific forums. Contribute to publications for peer‑reviewed journals and present data at scientific conferences. Act as a source of technical expertise for the team, sharing best practices in in‑vivo techniques and radiopharmaceutical handling.

WHO ARE YOU: SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge & Expertise: Core Expertise: You apply strong expertise in in‑vivo pharmacology to independently design and execute complex preclinical experiments. Data / Insight: You independently interpret complex in‑vivo data from imaging and ex‑vivo analysis, drawing clear conclusions to inform project decisions. Knowledge Sharing: You build collective expertise by actively sharing your learnings, documenting methods, and helping colleagues solve technical problems.
• Job Complexity: Task / Project Delivery: You independently deliver work of moderate to high complexity, taking ownership of critical in‑vivo workstreams essential to project milestones. Problem‑Solving: You develop practical and creative solutions when scientific or technical challenges arise in your studies, adapting established methods to address them. Strategic Impact: You provide the key data and scientific insights that directly inform project decisions and help the team prioritize its next steps.
• Independence: Autonomy: You operate with a high degree of independence in your daily research, requiring only general instructions on new projects or assignments. Decision‑Making: You select suitable study designs and analytical methods with sound scientific judgment to ensure the quality and reliability of your results. Leadership / Mentorship: You act as an informal mentor to junior colleagues, sharing your technical expertise and providing guidance on best practices.

Values & Behaviours

• One Team: Collaboration: You work proactively across functions, building strong relationships to ensure your in‑vivo work is well‑integrated with other project activities. Inclusive Leadership: You encourage diverse input and open dialogue, actively listening to different scientific perspectives to improve your work. Mentorship / Support: You actively coach less experienced team members, sharing your knowledge of specific in‑vivo techniques and scientific principles.
• Adventurous: Innovation: You propose creative solutions to scientific challenges and are keen to trial new techniques or models within your projects. Risk‑Taking: You challenge established methods constructively, suggesting alternative approaches where you see an opportunity for improvement. Change Leadership: You encourage team adaptability by readily adopting new tools and helping others to do the same.
• Dedicated to our Mission: Accountability: You take responsibility for the quality and reliability of your results, ensuring your data directly contributes to the team's mission. Resilience: You maintain determination and focus when facing challenging experimental results or technical hurdles in your own work. Inspiration: You connect your scientific contributions to the wider mission, understanding how your specific data helps advance our goal of creating new medicines.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in in‑vivo pharmacology and tumour biology, gained in a biopharmaceutical or academic setting.
• Essential hands‑on experience in preclinical radiopharmaceutical assessment, including PET/SPECT imaging and ex‑vivo biodistribution analysis.
• Experience working with external CROs or academic collaborators to execute studies.
• Experience with radionuclide‑ or toxin‑conjugates (e.g., radiopharmaceuticals, ADCs) and a background in cancer biology is required.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of radiochemistry, radiolabelling, or dosimetry would be an advantage.
• A current Home Office Personal License (PIL) is highly desirable.

Additional Information

• State‑of‑the‑art campus environment with on‑campus restaurant and Montessori nursery.
• Flexible working environment.
• Competitive reward including annual company bonus.
• Employee recognition schemes.
• 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays + option to buy up to 5 additional days annually.
• Employer contribution to pension (employee does not have to contribute).
• Life assurance cover 4x basic salary.
• Private Medical Insurance, including optical and dental cover.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Group income protection.
• Employee assistance program.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Access to company subsidised gym membership.
• Eligibility for an option grant to subscribe to shares in Bicycle Therapeutics plc.
• Cycle to work scheme.

EEO Statement

Bicycle Therapeutics is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, or veteran status.