Principal Research Scientist

Location: Oxford

Contract: Perm

SRG are working with a Biotech company who are committed to advancing new therapeutics and translating novel immunological science into innovative R&D programmes.

Role overview:

Our client is now entering an exciting phase of portfolio progression and growth and are seeking an experienced and highly capable drug hunter to join their team as Principal Research Scientist, focusing on Novel Therapeutics Discovery - Functional Reprogramming. The successful candidate will provide both people leadership and strategic scientific direction, working across a portfolio of assets and collaborating closely with key stakeholders across immunology discovery research and beyond. In this role, you will be expected to lead a team of multi-disciplinary scientists to deliver a pipeline of novel therapeutics to drive functional reprogramming of inflammatory cells. You will be expected to mentor and develop colleagues from a range of scientific backgrounds and foster a strong drug discovery mindset across the team. You will also act as a molecule lead on pipeline programmes, helping to shape cross-functional strategy and ensuring high-quality scientific execution. Over time, you will contribute to building a coherent portfolio of molecules with related mechanisms of action and maximising cross-program learnings.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver drug discovery strategy in alignment with the company's overall immunology strategy.
• Lead and develop a team of 3+ direct reports, ranging from entry level to senior scientist level.
• Build scientific capability within the team and foster a strong drug discovery mindset.
• Act as molecule lead on pipeline programmes, providing cross-functional leadership as teams form around assets.
• Collaborate with colleagues across immunology discovery research, clinical development, development sciences and precision medicine.
• Serve as a leading scientist at the Oxford site, and act as a recognised scientific expert within the wider company R&D organisation in your specialist mechanism of action.
• Proactively share knowledge, mentor colleagues and support the development of functional capability.
• Ensure high-quality project planning through sound experimental design, early risk assessment and robust contingency planning.
• Identify and evaluate emerging scientific trends and translate relevant insights into functional objectives.
• Apply imagination and innovation to create and implement new or improved approaches and breakthrough ideas.
• Present scientific concepts and results to scientific and non-scientific audiences, including senior stakeholders and external partners.

Applicant's required attributes:

• Demonstrated experience across multiple drug discovery programs.
• Education: BS or equivalent with extensive experience, typically 14+ years; MS or equivalent with typically 12+ years of experience; PhD with typically 6+ years of experience in a relevant scientific area.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and development strategies.
• Creative and practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to champion new technologies.
• Recognised as an expert in your discipline, internally and ideally externally.
• Strong publication, presentation, regulatory and/or patent record.
• Excellent scientific communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting at leading scientific conferences.