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- Tasks: Lead scientific strategy for IHC and FISH, driving 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.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on 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.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Position Overview
Bring more to life. 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. 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.
Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH employer: Leica Biosystems
Contact Detail:
Leica Biosystems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant 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 responses 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 answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in IHC and FISH, and how it aligns with the role 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 passionate team dedicated to transforming lives through innovative science.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Scientist – IHC & FISH
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Chief Scientist role. Highlight your experience in IHC and FISH, and how it aligns with our mission at Leica Biosystems. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a potential CSO, it's crucial to demonstrate your executive-level scientific leadership. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and drive innovation!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively, especially in a scientific context.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Leica Biosystems!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leica Biosystems
✨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 also engaged with the latest developments in 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 in the past, particularly in regulated environments. Highlight any experiences where you’ve driven innovation or overseen complex projects to completion.
✨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. This will show that you understand the importance of quality and governance in scientific work.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong cross-functional integration. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with different teams, such as R&D, manufacturing, or commercial departments. Being able to articulate your experience in building partnerships will demonstrate your ability to strengthen the organisation's scientific influence.