Associate Director, Electrophysiology & Cellular Pharmacology

What if your expertise could help unlock the potential of some of the most challenging drug targets, driving innovative therapies from concept to discovery?

Proclinical is recruiting for an Associate Director to lead electrophysiology and cellular pharmacology programs within a dynamic drug discovery environment. This role focuses on providing scientific, strategic, and operational leadership for innovative discovery programs targeting ion channels, GPCRs, transporters, and related therapeutic areas. You will work closely with biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients, driving excellence in assay development and program delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of electrophysiology and cellular pharmacology programs for diverse clients.
• Lead assay development, optimization, validation, and implementation activities.
• Act as a subject matter expert in ion channel pharmacology and electrophysiology.
• Provide strategic guidance on experimental design, data interpretation, and project direction.
• Troubleshoot complex scientific challenges to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted scientific advisor.
• Contribute to business development through proposal support, study design, and client presentations.
• Support the growth and advancement of electrophysiology and ion channel capabilities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on departmental strategy, resource planning, and capability development.
• Mentor, develop, and manage scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• A PhD in Pharmacology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology or a related life science discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Extensive industry experience in electrophysiology, including manual and/or automated patch clamp techniques.
• Strong expertise in ion channel biology, ion channel pharmacology and drug discovery research.
• Experience supporting and leading ion channel-focused drug discovery programmes within a CRO, biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment company.
• Broad scientific knowledge across multiple target classes, with the ability to design assays, troubleshoot experiments and provide expert scientific oversight.
• Proven experience managing complex client-facing scientific projects.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting data to external stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to scientific proposals, business development activities and strategic programme planning.
• Previous line management, mentoring and team leadership experience would be an advantage

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative drug discovery organisation supporting a diverse range of biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners worldwide.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary package
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Paid volunteering day

Proclinical is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.