Senior Scientist; DMPK

200 staff. Limitless Potential. One team. Cancer Research Horizons.

Department: Therapeutic Innovation, R&I

Reports to: Group Leader

Location
:
Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge (Hybrid - 3 days per week on-site)

Contract type: 1-year Fixed Term Contract

hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Interview Date: Approximately week commencing 9th March

Interview process: 2 stage interview process, initial screening call via teams followed by on-site competency-based interview.

We have an exciting, high-impact opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join us at Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) in Cambridge, on a 1-year fixed term basis. As a Senior Scientist in DMPK
, you will play a key role in advancing both small- and large-molecule programs from lead optimization through candidate selection.

The successful candidate will apply deep technical expertise in pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and quantitative modelling to support the design and execution of translational strategies across therapeutic areas.

Reporting directly to the DMPK Group lead, you will work closely with the medicinal chemistry team and more widely with cross functional teams, seeking to accelerate novel therapies into clinical development.

The role would suit a Senior Scientist with a PhD or BSc/MSc with relevant industrial experience. Good time management skills, a proven ability to form close and effective relationships with colleagues at all levels and excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Every role at CRH is united by a single mission: beating cancer sooner. We carry out work that matters—impacting patients, families, and the future of science.

As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.

We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH).

We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to
1) Bring new treatments to patients faster and
2) Tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.

Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, you’ll be joining over 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer and making real life impact.

• Design and execute DMPK strategies to advance discovery programs from LO through candidate selection, across both small molecule and large molecules
• Plan and oversee in vitro and in vivo DMPK work, including metabolite identification, assess species differences, recommend species selection for toxicity studies, toxicokinetic evaluation, and DDI risk assessment.
• Perform human PK and dose predictions using a range of methodologies (allometry, mechanistic PBPK, exposure–response models) at key project milestones.
• Design and interpret in vivo efficacy and PK/PD studies, integrating biomarker and efficacy endpoints with exposure data to drive decision making.
• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead quantitative pharmacology activities, including exposure–response analyses and model informed go/no go criteria.
• Work closely with medicinal chemistry, biology, toxicology and clinical colleagues to define DMPK strategies and effective translational plans for each program.
• Stay abreast of new modelling and simulation tools and contribute to continuous improvement of DMPK workflows

• PhD (or equivalent) in Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, or a related discipline with industry experience. Candidates with a BSc or MSc (or equivalent) will also be considered if they demonstrate substantial and…