Senior Scientist I

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.

Do you have expertise in small molecules drug discovery? Have you got the desire to improve health and lives? Charles River Laboratories are excited to be recruiting for a Senior Scientist I to join our High Peak, UK site. This is an onsite role; you’ll be expected to be onsite 5 days/week. This is an exciting hands-on role, where you’ll be at the forefront of developing new screening offerings across different modalities, with a particular focus on small molecules. You’ll be an experienced Scientist in this space already, with expertise in working collaboratively on projects across a variety of cell-based screening technologies.

Job Responsibilities

• Use the Retrogenix(R) Cell Microarray Technology to design, execute and interpret studies across a range of sample types and modalities, with particular focus on small molecules.
• Contribute to the development of new scientific capabilities by reading and applying current literature, methodologies, and emerging technologies; lead the development of new screening offerings across modalities with particular focus on small molecules.
• Act as a lead within the laboratory, setting standards for best practices and providing troubleshooting support across scientific and technological activities.
• Contribute to and independently deliver continuous improvement initiatives by proactively identifying and implementing innovative ideas to enhance laboratory efficiency, scientific capabilities and client offerings.
• Perform routine laboratory activities, ensuring accurate, up-to-date record keeping and maintenance of laboratory notebooks and data systems.
• Mentor, coach, and train junior scientists, supporting their technical development and ensuring skill progression.
• Review colleagues’ work to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency with scientific standards.
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery.
• Manage time efficiently, prioritising workload across multiple concurrent projects to meet deadlines.
• Communicate scientific findings clearly, both internally and externally where required, including presentation of results and recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant scientific literature and best laboratory practices.
• Adhere to all Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) standards, ensuring safe working practices, promptly reporting any incidents or concerns and implementing new procedures/Risk Assessments where required.
• Demonstrate awareness of departmental objectives and organisational strategy; contribute to scientific community initiatives.
• Commit to developing both laboratory and non-laboratory skills; including scientific writing, presentation skills and Continuous Improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to MSc level at a minimum (PhD preferred) within relevant discipline – Biology or similar.
• Proven hands-on experience in an industry-led scientific role, preferably within small molecule drug discovery projects.
• Track record of working with radiochemicals in screening technologies essential.
• Experience of working at another CRO/Biotech/Pharma company preferred.
• Any additional project leadership experience is highly advantageous.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, able to work in multiple project teams collaboratively.
• Demonstrable skills in independent design and execution of high-quality experiments.

Benefits

• A very comprehensive benefits package from day one, including a large pension contribution, private medical for you (and can add family members), private dental care, critical illness cover, bonus and more.
• Global opportunities and strong career progression.
• The chance to work on several varied projects and liaise globally and nationally with other business areas.
• To be able to make a difference to health and wellbeing of people.
• To continue your own career growth.
• Flexible working (in line with business need).
• Parental leave.
• Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection.
• Remote GP access 24/7.
• Well-being support and initiatives.