Principal Scientist (Research Leader) - In Vitro Biology in Portishead

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Have you developed deep expertise in immunology and advanced in vitro cell biology — and do you want to shape scientific strategy while leading multidisciplinary Discovery teams? Do you want to apply your lab‑based expertise and scientific leadership to drive innovative assay development and immuno‑oncology research within a global research organisation? We are hiring!

Our Research Leaders and Senior Research Leaders within our Biotherapeutics Drug Discovery teams at Portishead play a pivotal part in the development and implementation of innovative scientific strategy. These are senior positions, with requirements to perform within the lab and to provide scientific leadership to multidisciplinary teams within Discovery.

• A strong focus on innovation, helping to define strategy and leading new assay/model/platform development at the site and across Discovery.
• Develop complex in vitro cell biology capabilities with strong experience in aspects of immune-related assays supporting immuno-oncology, autoimmune disease, inflammation (incl. neuroinflammation), infection or microbiome programs.
• Train and develop users in core techniques such as flow cytometry, Incucyte, ELISpot, Luminex, high content imaging, complex primary cell culture, molecular biology, ‘omics and standard biochemical techniques.
• Guide and/or direct immunology disease models (autoimmune, inflammation and infection) along with ex vivo endpoint analysis.
• Lead Molecular biology/Genetic manipulation capabilities - support immunology work carried out at the site and across Discovery/other areas of the business.
• Coordinate with BD and CS and discovery-wide operational teams to bring work into Discovery, supporting the design of complex programs of work which meet client’s needs.
• Project leadership of FTE / FFS or IDD client projects driving project direction and strategy.
• Contribute to scientific leadership at the site / cross site, mentoring and coaching the science line to deliver on strategic goals.
• Demonstrate effective project leadership within a key area, able to oversee project teams comprising of multiple disciplines and grades.
• Use positive influencing and role modelling abilities to drive assigned projects forward to achieve goals as agreed with clients.
• Build strong working relationship with external clients to create project plans that effectively showcase our scientific capability within time and budget constraints.
• Act as the main point of contact for client representatives, presenting data and keeping them up to date with progress.
• Create work schedules and coordinate work plans to ensure tasks are delegated appropriately and are skill appropriate for project team members.
• Identify any technical and/or other issues within projects, using strong problem-solving skills to come up with and apply an appropriate resolution.

• PhD within a relevant scientific discipline.
• MSc within a relevant scientific discipline with significant time in industry.
• Extensive publications list.
• Significant lab-based experience within the drug discovery sector.
• Proven project leadership skills, including managing multidisciplinary teams, finances, and creation of project plans with track record in achieving scientific milestones consistently.
• Strong influencing and people skills, able to foster a positive working environment that drives scientific innovation and aligns to the overall Discovery strategy.
• Passionate about working within the drug discovery sector, able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the industry.
• Proven ability to develop and train junior team members and work with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to concisely and accurately present own results and those of others via slide decks, teleconference, videoconference, written report or face-to-face as appropriate.

• Previous experience from another CRO or biotech.
• Significant scientific leadership experience, managing multiple integrated projects or programmes across different sites and divisions.
• Demonstrates high-quality decision making which impacts positively on project deliverables.
• Maintains a strong awareness of the relevant scientific literature and contemporary laboratory practices, sharing knowledge widely.

Charles River offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous company pension scheme, private healthcare, dental coverage, performance bonuses, and access to employee discount programs—plus much more!

Discovery from Charles River is industry-proven in the successful development of novel therapies, with over 350 patents and 80 preclinical drug candidates delivered to our sponsors in the past 17 years. Backed by more than 650 scientists, our comprehensive, integrated portfolio employs the latest technology and platforms to provide chemistry, biology, and pharmacology services that support clients from the earliest stages of hit identification all the way through to IND. Our client-focused, collaborative approach creates true partnerships that anticipate challenges, overcome obstacles, and move us forward together on the journey of getting new drugs to market.

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market. With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world. At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years. At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to fostering a sense of belonging and work daily in this direction.