Principal Scientist, Preclinical External Innovation

London

Full-time

Preclinical External Innovation

Hybrid

Job Title:
Principal Scientist, Preclinical External Innovation

Location:

London, with travel to Stevenage
Job Type: Permanent with hybrid working (3 days in the office required)

Agencies:
We will only work with recruitment partners on our preferred supplier list and will not engage with speculative CVs submitted.

Are you passionate about making life science life changing and delivering impact for patients? We want to hear from you.

About the role:

This is a new role within our Preclinical pillar, joining Life Arc at an exciting stage of our development.

The Preclinical pillar brings together expertise in disease biology, drug discovery, translational science, diagnostics, and external innovation, creating a more connected approach to preclinical development.

As Principal Scientist, Preclinical External Innovation you will be accountable for ensuring funded preclinical external projects progress through key data milestones and deliver their agreed objectives, including identifying and resolving project issues and working with funding recipients to modify project plans where needed.

You will lead and support the delivery of funded external projects and will work closely with the Director, External Innovation to implement new funding and partnership opportunities that will deliver the Preclinical strategy.

You will also provide high-quality support and advice on the development of funded project plans, ensuring that projects are approved and funded in line with strategic priorities and operational standards, while contributing to the delivery of long-term strategic goals.

This will help us progress high-potential science more effectively, accelerating the transition from discovery to development through to clinical trials, while maximising the impact of our strong scientific capabilities.

• Lead and support the delivery of high-quality funding programmes and innovation projects that accelerate scientific research and improve outcomes for patients
• Build strong partnerships with researchers, funding recipients, and external organisations, acting as a trusted relationship lead throughout the project lifecycle
• Effectively collaborates across Life Arc's multidisciplinary teams including Preclinical, Clinical, Business Development, Insights and Ecosystem functions to maximise project impact and deliver strategic priorities
• Manage funded projects from initiation to delivery, proactively monitoring progress, identifying risks and opportunities, and ensuring successful outcomes
• Identify and develop funding and collaboration opportunities by maintaining awareness of the external research, policy and innovation landscape
• Use data, KPIs and evaluation frameworks to measure impact, track delivery and drive continuous improvement across programmes and projects
• Provide expert advice on project planning, funding and innovation management, ensuring projects are robustly assessed and positioned for success
• Work closely with Business Development and Legal teams to support intellectual property and technology transfer considerations, helping maximise patient benefit and organisational impact

• Demonstrable experience of delivering projects with clear go/no-go miletsones, with a strong understanding of the challenges, opportunities and solutions involved in progressing new innovations to patients
• Demonstrable experience of contributing to the review and prioritisation of proposals for funding and implementing funding calls
• Ability to critically assess scientific proposals, seek relevant expert advice when required, utilising internal and external subject matter experts, and apply sound judgement to make informed, balanced decisions based on available scientific evidence
• Demonstrable experience of funding and grant management, with the credibility and judgement to advise and support applicants/stakeholders confidently and independently
• High levels of self-awareness, with the ability to recognise strengths and development areas and actively seek feedback on impact and effectiveness
• Strong financial and commercial acumen
• Knowledge of intellectual property and ability to identify, manage and advise on IP implications for a range of stakeholders

PhD in a relevant life science discipline, preferably with additional relevant post-doctoral research experience

• Ability to influence…