At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead scientific strategy for advanced staining and drive innovation in cancer diagnostics.
- Company: Join Leica Biosystems, a leader in life sciences and diagnostics.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive benefits, and a culture of belonging.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and global influence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer diagnostics and improve lives globally.
- Qualifications: PhD or MD in relevant fields with expertise in IHC and FISH.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Position Overview
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Leica Biosystems, one of Danaher's 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we're all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You'll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher's system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
At Leica Biosystems, we're not just shaping the future of cancer diagnostics — we're transforming lives. Our mission of "Advancing Cancer Diagnostics, Improving Lives" is the driving force behind everything we do. As a global leader with the most comprehensive portfolio spanning from biopsy to diagnosis, we empower clinicians with innovative, reliable solutions so they can give patients timely, accurate answers when they need them most. When you join Leica Biosystems, you're not just taking a job; you're becoming part of a passionate team that knows every moment matters when it comes to cancer. You'll help develop diagnostic solutions that turn anxiety into answers, and aid the acceleration of next‐generation, life-changing therapies. Surrounded by a diverse and collaborative global community, you'll be inspired each day to stretch, grow, and make an impact.
The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for Advanced Staining serves as the enterprise-wide scientific authority for Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), and next‐generation tissue‐based diagnostic technologies. This executive role shapes the long‐term scientific vision, oversees innovation strategy, and ensures the organisation maintains global leadership in advanced staining, assay development, and translational pathology solutions. The CSO drives scientific excellence across discovery, development, clinical evidence generation, and regulatory strategy while cultivating a high‐performance culture of innovation and scientific integrity.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Set and lead the enterprise scientific strategy for IHC, FISH, and advanced staining, defining the long‐term innovation roadmap, assessing emerging technologies, and advising executive leadership on strategic scientific and market opportunities.
- Direct world‐class R&D execution, overseeing assay discovery through validation, ensuring scientific rigor and data integrity, and establishing strong scientific governance frameworks that drive high‐impact innovation.
- Build and develop organisational scientific excellence, leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams while cultivating a high‐performance culture grounded in innovation, accountability, and technical mastery.
- Provide executive oversight of regulatory and quality strategy, guiding scientific content for global submissions, ensuring compliance with CLIA, CAP, IVDR/FDA, and embedding quality‐by‐design principles across all development programs.
- Strengthen cross‐functional integration and external scientific influence, partnering with manufacturing, commercial, and clinical teams; expanding strategic collaborations with academia and industry; and representing the organisation as a recognised global thought leader.
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Doctoral‐level scientific training (PhD, MD, or MD/PhD) in pathology, molecular biology, cancer biology, or a closely related life‐science discipline.
- Extensive expertise in IHC and FISH assay development, gained through diagnostics, biotech, or advanced academic research environments.
- Proven executive‐level scientific leadership, including successful delivery and commercialisation of complex diagnostic technologies.
- Deep experience operating within regulated diagnostic environments, such as CLIA, CAP, IVDR, FDA, and companion diagnostics frameworks.
- Advanced technical mastery in tissue‐based assay design, multiplexing, probe/antibody development, digital pathology, image analysis, and AI/ML‐enabled biomarker detection.
Travel Requirements:
- Ability to travel – 20% travel, Global
Leica Biosystems, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it's a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.
At Leica Biosystems, we believe in designing a better, more sustainable workforce. We recognize the benefits of flexible, remote working arrangements for eligible roles and are committed to providing enriching careers, no matter the work arrangement. This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement in which you can work remotely from your home. Additional information about this remote work arrangement will be provided by your interview team.
Join our winning team today. Together, we'll accelerate the real‐life impact of tomorrow's science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
For more information, visit www.danaher.com.
Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in London employer: Danaher
Leica Biosystems is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in the life sciences and diagnostics sectors. With a commitment to employee growth and flexible working arrangements, we provide comprehensive benefits that enhance work-life balance, ensuring that every team member feels valued and inspired to contribute to our mission of advancing cancer diagnostics. Join us in a dynamic environment where your unique perspective matters, and together, we can transform lives through cutting-edge science.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
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If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Danaher. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
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Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Danaher!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Danaher that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Danaher.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Danaher does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Danaher
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Danaher. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Danaher's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Danaher. This shows your passion for the industry!
