Principal Scientist

We are retained by a mission-driven early-stage biotech advancing a first-in-class therapeutic oxygen carrier designed for use when blood is unavailable, including trauma and battlefield settings. The company is well-capitalised through a combination of private investment and significant non-dilutive government funding
, and is entering a critical phase of IND-enabling development
.

This is a newly created hands-on Principal Scientist role, designed to strengthen scientific execution and support the transition from advanced formulation into process development, scale-up, and CMC readiness
.

Reporting into senior scientific leadership, the Principal Scientist will play a key role in advancing the lead program toward IND by bridging laboratory execution with translational and CMC-focused activities.

This position is ideal for an experienced industry scientist who enjoys being close to the bench
, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to high-impact decision-making without carrying full executive responsibility.

• Lead and execute laboratory-based development activities across formulation, process development, and scale-up
• Support CMC strategy
  , including method development, manufacturing readiness, and CDMO collaboration
• Contribute to IND-enabling studies
  , data generation, and documentation
• Partner closely with senior scientific leadership to translate development plans into executable experiments
• Mentor and develop junior scientists, helping raise technical standards and scientific rigor
• Ideal Background
• PhD in chemical engineering, bioengineering, biochemistry, materials science, or related discipline
• Proven experience in process development and CMC-focused programs within biotech or pharma
• Strong grounding in chemical processing
  ; experience with complex or non-traditional therapeutics highly valued
• Comfortable operating in an early-stage, fast-moving environment
• Prior IND or late preclinical experience strongly preferred

• Meaningful, life-saving technology with strong validation and funding
• High scientific ownership and visibility
• Opportunity to grow with the company as it advances toward the clinic
• Competitive compensation and equity participation

All discussions are handled in strict confidence.