Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York
Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH

Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York

York Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Danaher

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 biotechnology.
  • Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive benefits, and a culture of belonging.
  • 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.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and global influence.

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.

Explore the flexibility and challenge that working for Leica Biosystems can provide. Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real‑life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology.

Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York employer: Danaher

At Leica Biosystems, we are dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics and improving lives, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about life sciences and biotechnology. Our culture fosters belonging and innovation, offering employees the opportunity to grow within a collaborative global community while contributing to meaningful advancements in healthcare. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee development, we empower our team to thrive and make a tangible impact in the world.
Danaher

Contact Detail:

Danaher Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to cancer diagnostics. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your experience in IHC and FISH, and how it aligns with the role of Chief Scientist at Leica Biosystems.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to advancing cancer diagnostics.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
Assay Development
Regulatory Strategy
Quality-by-Design Principles
Scientific Leadership
Tissue-based Assay Design
Multiplexing
Probe/Antibody Development
Digital Pathology
Image Analysis
AI/ML-enabled Biomarker Detection
Cross-functional Integration
Mentoring and Team Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really absorb the job description. It’s packed with insights about what Leica Biosystems is looking for, and understanding this will help you tailor your application to stand out.

Showcase Your Expertise: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in IHC and FISH assay development. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing your achievements and technical mastery!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. At StudySmarter, we value unique viewpoints, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for life sciences and how you can contribute to transforming lives at Leica Biosystems.

Apply Through Our Website: When you’re ready to submit your application, make sure to do it through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Danaher

Know Your Science

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). Be prepared to discuss recent advancements in these areas and how they relate to the role. This shows that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you're genuinely engaged with the field.

Showcase Leadership Experience

As a Chief Scientist, you'll need to demonstrate your executive-level scientific leadership. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, particularly in regulated environments. Highlight your ability to mentor others and foster a culture of innovation.

Understand Regulatory Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the regulatory requirements relevant to diagnostics, such as CLIA, CAP, IVDR, and FDA. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated these frameworks in previous roles and how you would ensure compliance in this position.

Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration

This role requires strong collaboration with various teams. Think about past experiences where you've worked with manufacturing, commercial, or clinical teams. Be ready to share how you can strengthen cross-functional integration and represent the organisation as a thought leader in the field.

Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH in York
Danaher
Location: York
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