Non-Clinical Safety Lead - UK

To strengthen our Non-Clinical Safety Evaluation group within Early Clinical Development and Translational Science, we are looking for a talented individual for the role of Non-Clinical Safety Lead, based in Braine L'alleud, Belgium or Slough, UK or Cambridge, MA (USA).

As a Non-clinical Safety Lead, you will provide scientific leadership for non-clinical safety across discovery and development programs. You will shape non-clinical strategies, ensure high-quality execution, and support regulatory interactions from early development through clinical progression and post approval.

You will:

• Lead, communicate, and execute non-clinical safety strategies aligned with clinical development goals.
• Develop integrated non-clinical safety plans supporting innovative programs.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality non-clinical data and global regulatory documentation.
• Represent UCB in interactions with regulatory authorities and external partners.

This role is well suited to an experienced toxicologist—ideally with exposure to gene and cell therapy or other novel modalities—who enjoys working at the interface of science, development strategy, and regulation. You will thrive in an environment where you can share expertise across functions and global UCB sites, engage with cutting-edge science and build collaborative networks to drive cross-functional success.

What you'll do:

• Provide non-clinical safety expertise to discovery and development projects.
• Define, lead, and implement non-clinical safety strategies across programs.
• Partner with clinical teams to ensure robust preclinical data supports clinical trial design.
• Contribute to global regulatory submissions (e.g., IBs, Briefing Books, INDs, NDA/BLAs) and interact with regulatory authorities.
• Oversee the design, review, and interpretation of non-clinical studies.
• Manage non-clinical safety programs, including budgets.

For this role you’ll need the following education, experience and skills:

• PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, or related discipline (or equivalent MS/DVM with experience).
• 5+ years in non-clinical safety (preferably in pharma or biotech).
• Deep understanding of regulatory processes and regulatory toxicology.
• Experience managing and forecasting non-clinical safety budgets.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and submission documents with subject matter expert support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Accredited or registered toxicologist.
• Experience in gene and cell therapy and/or other novel modalities.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9,000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws. Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on EMEA-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com.