Lead Scientist-Molecular Biology & Adv Microscopy

Lead Scientist – Molecular Biology & Advanced Microscopy

Join Medicines Discovery Catapult as a Lead Scientist – Molecular Biology & Advanced Microscopy. Based at Alderley Park, the Catapult is a national Life Sciences service dedicated to turning drug discovery into commercial breakthroughs. We accelerate science development, stimulate innovation where unmet patient need exists, and help over 300 companies raise more than £1bn of R&D investment.

In vitro biology is a key pillar of our Science Strategy. You will lead the Molecular Biology and Advanced Microscopy discipline, applying molecular tools and state‑of‑the‑art microscopy techniques to translate drug‑target engagement, functional response and mechanism of action studies into clinical impact. Your leadership will support and advance the MDC in‑vitro biology project portfolio and foster collaborations with external partners.

• Operational leadership of the MDC Molecular Biology and Advanced Microscopy team; deliver projects on time, within budget and quality standards while mitigating risks.
• Manage project resources, timelines and budgets, consulting with Discovery Operations, Finance, Legal, Business Development and external partners.
• Line‑manage a team of scientists, providing technical oversight and focusing on individual development.
• Lead the development and application of microscopy techniques on our confocal, multiphoton, super‑resolution, high‑content and live‑imaging platforms to investigate target engagement, mechanism and phenotypic responses.
• Design and implement molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR to support drug discovery projects.
• Collaborate with in‑vitro, in‑vivo and translational medicine experts to deliver end‑to‑end workflows for collaborative projects.
• Drive collaborative projects to completion, delivering high‑quality data in a complex, time‑pressured research environment.
• Establish and validate experimental endpoints to industry standards.
• Develop strategies to evaluate phenotypic responses of multiple cell populations and complex models, including tissue samples.
• Act as the discipline expert, informing the continued development of the Mammology and Advanced Light Microscopy platforms.
• Contribute drug‑discovery knowledge, scientific insight and innovative technical approaches to enhance programme success.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, academic and commercial partners, facilitating research collaboration.

• Expertise in molecular engineering of cells, including lentiviral transduction, CRISPR and molecular analysis technologies.
• Proficiency in advanced light microscopy methods (confocal, super‑resolution, multiphoton, live‑imaging, high‑content) with a strong record of project delivery and publication.
• Experience in image analysis and processing using commercial and open‑source software, and scripting new tools.
• Knowledge of ex‑vivo tissue analysis, including preparation, analysis and validation.
• Line‑management experience and project delivery through others.
• Substantial experience in drug‑discovery microscopy assays, neuroscience or complex medicines characterization, preferably in industry.
• History of leading and delivering projects in a collaborative environment, managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex concepts to both experts and non‑experts.

• External reputation in the field, evidenced by a robust publication record and broader impact.
• Track record of innovation and establishing new capabilities within an organisation.
• Experience working with SMEs and understanding the commercialization of science.

• PhD in molecular and cell biology with substantial post‑doctoral experience in therapeutic characterisation using advanced light microscopy, preferably in an industrial setting.

Closing date: Friday 16th January 2026 (may be brought forward if a high volume of applications is received).