Principal​/Senior Translational Pharmacologist – Ophthalmology

Job Description

Are you looking for day-to-day work that directly impacts human health and brings life-changing therapies to people who currently have no other options?

Are you looking for a role where you can shape scientific strategy rather than simply execute studies?

Pharmidex is a translational CRO supporting global biotech and pharmaceutical clients since 2002. We operate a lean, high-impact R&D model with integrated in vitro, in vivo, bioanalytical, GLP toxicology, GLP/GCP bioanalysis, and biomarker capabilities under one roof across our AAALAC-accredited and MHRA-compliant facilities. With a strong track record across translational research programmes, we combine experienced internal scientific teams with deep academic, industry, and CRO expertise.

This unique setup allows our team to move fast and focus entirely on what matters scientifically to deliver the highest value for our clients and patients.

We are seeking a dynamic, dedicated, and driven Principal / Senior Translational Pharmacologist to join our growing Translational Research group. In this role, you will take scientific ownership of ophthalmology programs, shaping indication strategies, selecting disease models, and driving translational decision‑making from discovery through to IND-enabling studies.

If you are a senior-level preclinical scientist looking for pace, high visibility, and real translational impact in ophthalmology, we want to hear from you.

The Principal / Senior Translational Pharmacologist will be a core part of the Translational Ophthalmology team, focusing on the characterisation and evaluation of novel therapeutics, including gene therapy candidates.

You will be responsible for directing both internal and external research activities to grow the company services and client portfolio. As a senior individual contributor and scientific lead, you will own multiple ophthalmology programs, designing and interpreting in vivo and in vitro studies that directly link mechanism to disease biology.

• Program Ownership & Strategy: Own and drive pharmacology strategies for assigned ophthalmic programs. Provide scientific insights related to nonclinical disease models, new target identification, and indication expansion/repositioning exercises.
• Study Design & Execution: Architect, oversee, and interpret robust in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies, to establish proof‑of‑mechanism and generate highly predictive translational data.
• External Collaboration & Client Management: Oversee the assessment, selection, and collaboration with our industry clients, academic partners, and medical institutes, ensuring fast, flexible project execution.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Synchronise internal preclinical pharmacology activities with other matrix functions, representing translational/preclinical research within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Regulatory & Documentation: Assist with the preparation of high‑quality internal documents, study protocols, comprehensive study reports, and regulatory/patent filings.
• Scientific Due Diligence: Keep up to date with scientific literature and lead scientific assessments for due diligence and portfolio expansion activities as required.
• Team Guidance: Provide leadership, technical troubleshooting, and mentorship within the team to ensure project milestones are achieved effectively and efficiently.

Required:

• Education: Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Pharmacology, Biology, Ophthalmology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience: Extensive senior-level experience in preclinical drug discovery and early development within a biopharmaceutical, CRO, or advanced academic setting.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of drug discovery, study design considerations for non‑clinical studies, and independent data analysis. Background in ocular biology and ophthalmology disease models. The role combines scientific leadership with selective hands‑on experimental involvement.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to act as a senior scientific…