Principal Scientist, Preclinical Biology & Pharmacology

Principal Scientist, Preclinical Biology & Pharmacology

Location:

Switzerland | Relocation support available

We are supporting a global R&D organisation in the appointment of a Principal Scientist, Preclinical Biology & Pharmacology to provide scientific leadership for pre-clinical programmes supporting future product innovation.

This is a senior individual-contributor position for an experienced pharmacologist who has progressed from hands‑on research into leading multidisciplinary pharmacology programmes and guiding the scientific strategy required to progress novel compounds.

We are looking for someone from the biological & pharmacological side of compound development — understanding what compounds do biologically and determining the pharmacology evidence required to support their development. This is not a medicinal chemistry, DMPK or PK/PD modelling position
.

You will develop the pharmacology strategy and lead its implementation and execution across novel-compound programmes.

The research may involve in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo approaches
, with the Principal Scientist responsible for bringing together evidence from different scientific disciplines to guide programme decisions.

You do not need to personally perform every type of study. You should, however, understand how the different evidence streams fit together and be able to provide scientific direction to specialists contributing to the programme.

• Develop and lead pre‑clinical pharmacology strategies for novel compounds.
• Lead the implementation and execution of pharmacology programmes from a scientific and operational perspective.
• Determine the studies and pharmacology evidence required to support programme progression.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams without direct line‑management responsibility.
• Guide programmes involving in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo research.
• Integrate pharmacology findings with PK, PK/PD and DMPK information generated by specialist teams to inform development decisions.
• Critically evaluate scientific data, study designs and proposed development strategies.
• Work closely with Project Management, Clinical, Computational Biology and other scientific specialists within a matrix R&D environment.
• Provide scientific guidance while drawing on expertise from specialists across different disciplines.
• Translate complex science into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Present scientific programmes, strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and governance groups.
• Work with internal scientists and external research partners where appropriate.

• PhD in pharmacology or a closely related life‑science discipline
• 10+ years' post‑PhD experience
  , which may include a combination of postdoctoral and industry experience.
• Strong background in pre‑clinical pharmacology
  .
• Experience leading pharmacology programmes supporting the development of novel compounds.
• Experience developing the scientific strategy for pharmacology programmes rather than solely executing individual studies.
• Experience leading projects or programmes from both a strategic and operational perspective.
• Previous hands‑on experience designing scientific studies earlier in your career.
• Broad experience across nonclinical pharmacology, including exposure to in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo research
  . You do not need to be an expert in all three.
• Strong understanding of how PK, PK/PD and DMPK information contributes to pharmacology and compound‑development decisions. You do not need to be a PK modeller or DMPK specialist.
• Strong scientific experience in at least one relevant health territory, particularly neuroscience/neuropharmacology, cardiovascular/cardiometabolic, pulmonary/respiratory or oral health
  .
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and working with scientific specialists outside your own area of expertise (in relation to therapeutic area and research methods).
• Experience working cross‑functionally within a matrix R&D organisation.
• Experience presenting programmes, strategies or recommendations to senior stakeholders or governance groups.
• Strong strategic and critical thinking.
• Excellent scientific communication skills,…