Group Leader - Antibody Screening and Pharmacology

Group Leader – Antibody Screening & Pharmacology

Reports to: Associate Director – Antibody Discovery & Protein Science Directorate: Research & Innovation

Salary: £67,000 – £76,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full time 35 hours per week. Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge (minimum 3 days onsite per week).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Antibody Discovery Cell Screening Team, setting the vision and providing scientific and strategic leadership in antibody drug discovery and immunology.
• Oversee the design, execution and optimisation of pharmacological assays to evaluate antibody efficacy, mechanism of action and candidate potential.
• Define and implement screening and triaging strategies, integrating developability, binding and functional data to support informed candidate selection.
• Apply experience in delivering pre‑clinical candidates to establish critical experiments, success criteria and decision points for programme progression.
• Drive scientific and technical innovation through new technologies, methodologies, external collaborations and partnerships.
• Contribute to the strategic leadership of the Antibody Discovery & Protein Science team and the wider research strategy.
• Manage team expertise, capacity and resources to support portfolio governance, decision‑making and capability development.
• Ensure alignment with N3CR principles and CRUK policies, working closely with relevant stakeholders and funding teams.
• Represent the team across therapeutic projects, cross‑site initiatives and external scientific communities.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to influence decision‑making and drive outcomes.
• Promote scientific excellence through publications, presentations, advisory roles, and the training and development of colleagues.
• Foster an inclusive culture where equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in decision‑making.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant industry experience in antibody drug discovery spanning hit identification, lead optimisation and candidate delivery.
• Proven leadership capability, with a strong track record of building, developing and inspiring high‑performing teams within matrixed research environments.
• Expertise in candidate triaging, assay development and interpretation of complex data from automated and high‑throughput screening platforms.
• Strong understanding of antibody developability and multiple antibody modalities, including bispecific antibodies, ADCs and T‑cell engagers.
• Ability to make data‑driven decisions, prioritise across multiple projects and apply translational and in‑vivo pharmacology expertise to programme progression.
• Demonstrated success in delivering scientific and strategic impact across diverse research portfolios through leadership and innovation.
• Established external scientific profile, evidenced by publications, conference presentations and a strong professional network.
• Agile, collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
• Awareness of, and ideally experience applying, emerging AI technologies within drug discovery (desirable).

Benefits

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under‑represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We do not recruit anyone below the age of 18, in order to protect young people from health, safety and safeguarding risks.