Job Role: Senior Scientist – Neuroscience
Site: Edinburgh
Salary: Competitive, DOE
Role: Permanent
Concept Life Sciences is seeking an experienced Senior Scientist – Neuroscience to join our Translational Biology team. Combining strong expertise in neurodegenerative disease biology, proven project leadership and client management skills, you will lead high-quality in vitro studies for clients developing CNS therapies. With particular expertise in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and/or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), you will drive scientific delivery, build strong client relationships and contribute to the development of differentiated neuroscience assays and platforms that support the growth of our CNS offering.
What you will be doing:
As a Senior Scientist, you will work independently to design, deliver and interpret client studies using primary and iPSC-derived CNS models, applying your understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms to address our clients’ scientific questions. You will act as project lead on client programmes, taking responsibility for scientific decision-making, data review, reporting and the presentation of findings to customers. You will manage client relationships with confidence, including handling difficult conversations, and will represent Concept Life Sciences externally at conferences through posters and oral presentations. You will also contribute to business development, providing technical input to proposals, scoping new projects and helping to identify and develop further opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
Alongside this, you will contribute to the development of differentiated neuroscience assays and platforms, keeping abreast of industry trends and competitor capabilities so that our services remain scientifically distinctive and commercially viable. You will train, supervise and advise less experienced scientists, help develop and update SOPs, and uphold our quality and safety standards.
About you:
- You will have a PhD in neuroscience or a closely related discipline and substantial postdoctoral, industry or equivalent research experience, with a proven track record of operating at Senior Scientist level.
- You will have strong expertise in neurodegenerative disease biology, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and a sound understanding of the pathways, targets and phenotypes relevant to drug discovery.
- You will have significant hands-on experience with primary and/or iPSC-derived CNS in vitro disease models, and be confident in selecting, troubleshooting and improving models and methods independently.
- You will have demonstrated experience developing novel or differentiated assays, and an understanding of how new capabilities can support long-term strategic growth.
- You will have proven experience leading client-facing scientific projects, taking responsibility for study design, project delivery, data interpretation, reporting and timelines.
- You will have strong client management and relationship-building skills, with experience leading scientific discussions, presenting complex data, managing customer expectations and handling challenging conversations confidently and professionally.
- You will have experience contributing to business development, such as scoping projects, supporting proposals, or engaging with prospective clients and external audiences.
- You will be motivated by scientific excellence and committed to supporting colleagues, developing capability and delivering high-quality outcomes for clients.
Desirable:
- Understanding of ion channel biology and electrophysiology, such as patch clamp, multi-electrode array (MEA) or calcium imaging approaches, and how these support functional characterisation of CNS disease models and compound activity.
- Experience developing complex CNS in vitro model systems, such as co-cultures, organoids or organ-on-chip models, to capture more physiologically relevant disease biology.
What you will get:
In addition to a competitive salary, we provide generous holiday entitlement, a pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions, a health cash plan covering a range of therapy treatments, a cycle to work scheme, a retail discount scheme, death in service benefit, a discretionary bonus scheme, and free on-site parking.
You’ll also have access to our BHN Extras platform, offering cashback, discounts, and tech/home purchases via salary sacrifice.
Colleague wellbeing is important to us - we offer 24/7 virtual GP access, emotional support services, and a comprehensive wellbeing hub. We’re proud of our inclusive, supportive culture and provide a range of learning and development opportunities to help you grow both personally and professionally.
About Concept Life Sciences:
Concept Life Sciences is a multi-disciplined Contract Research Organisation based in the UK providing market-leading scientific services globally. Over the past 25 years, Concept Life Sciences and its heritage companies have played a pivotal role in guiding numerous clients along their path to clinical success and many of these clients have evolved into enduring scientific collaborators.
From our 4 sites across the UK, we provide world-leading expertise to the pharmaceutical, biotech, agrochemical, and material science industries. We have clients across Europe, Asia, and the US, who value our knowledge-based, science-led, and customer-focused approach.
Senior Scientist – Neuroscience in Edinburgh employer: Concept Life Sciences
At Concept Life Sciences, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Chapel-en-le-Frith where your expertise in peptide chemistry can truly shine. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous benefits, and a culture that fosters collaboration and professional growth, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on drug discovery projects while enjoying a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
