Principal Scientist – Structural Biology
Principal Scientist – Structural Biology

Principal Scientist – Structural Biology

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting client projects in Structural Biology and mentor fellow scientists.
  • Company: Join Concept Life Sciences, a leading Contract Research Organisation with a supportive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, health benefits, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Access to wellbeing services and a range of learning opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in scientific discovery while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: PhD in Structural Biology with expertise in X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Concept Life Sciences seeks a Principal Scientist in Structural Biology to help drive the growth and scientific excellence of our Protein Biochemistry & Structural Biology service line. In this senior, laboratory‑based role, you will use your deep expertise in X‑ray Crystallography, Cryo‑EM and structural biology to deliver high‑quality client projects, shape our service offering, and mentor colleagues. Your work will directly support the discovery and development programmes of our clients, while advancing the capabilities of our Structural Biology team.

What you will be doing:

  • As a Principal Scientist, you will lead client projects, ensuring high‑quality delivery and strong scientific direction.
  • You’ll work closely with colleagues across the PBSB team, contributing expert insight in X‑ray Crystallography, Cryo‑EM and structural biology techniques.
  • You will mentor scientists, support training, and help introduce new technologies that enhance our capabilities.
  • Your leadership, communication and hands‑on expertise will ensure projects run smoothly, safely and to the highest scientific standards.

About you:

  • You will bring deep expertise in Structural Biology, with significant hands‑on experience in X‑ray Crystallography and Cryo‑EM.
  • You will have experience leading client or collaborative scientific projects, demonstrating sound decision‑making, strong communication and high scientific standards.
  • You will be confident mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge and supporting the development of junior scientists.
  • You will be comfortable working in a CRO, biotech, pharma or academic environment and understand the expectations of external stakeholders.
  • You will have strong data interpretation skills and the ability to present scientific results clearly to clients and internal teams.
  • You will hold a PhD in industrial Structural Biology and bring a track record of achieving successful scientific outcomes.

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.

Principal Scientist – Structural Biology employer: Concept Life Sciences

Concept Life Sciences is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Chapel-en-le-Frith, where you can thrive as a Principal Scientist in Structural Biology. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a competitive salary, enhanced pension contributions, and comprehensive health support, we prioritise your professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and mentorship. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that drives scientific excellence and supports the development of innovative solutions for our clients.
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Contact Detail:

Concept Life Sciences Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Scientist – Structural Biology

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend conferences, seminars, or even local meet-ups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.

Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your hands-on experience with X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM. We want to hear about your projects and how you’ve led teams to success.

Be Ready for the Interview

Prepare for those tricky interview questions by practising your responses. We suggest focusing on your leadership style and how you mentor others. Show them you’re not just a scientist, but a team player who can drive projects forward.

Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team at Concept Life Sciences.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Scientist – Structural Biology

X-ray Crystallography
Cryo-EM
Structural Biology
Project Leadership
Client Project Management
Mentoring
Data Interpretation
Scientific Communication
Collaboration
Decision-Making
Training Support
New Technology Implementation
Hands-on Laboratory Expertise
Understanding of CRO/Biotech/Pharma Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your expertise in Structural Biology, especially your experience with X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects and achievements!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of our work at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, make sure to highlight any mentoring or leadership experiences you've had. We value strong communication and decision-making skills, so share examples of how you've led projects or supported colleagues in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Concept Life Sciences

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how your expertise can contribute to the team. This is your chance to showcase your deep understanding of structural biology!

Showcase Leadership Skills

Since this role involves mentoring and leading projects, think of examples where you've successfully guided a team or supported junior scientists. Prepare to share how you handle decision-making and ensure high scientific standards in your work.

Communicate Clearly

Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to present results clearly to clients and internal teams, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider doing mock interviews with friends to refine your delivery.

Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Concept Life Sciences and their values. They pride themselves on an inclusive and supportive culture, so be prepared to discuss how you align with these values and how you can contribute to their mission of scientific excellence.

Principal Scientist – Structural Biology
Concept Life Sciences

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