Director, Pre-Clinical Biological Sciences & Evidence Development
Location: Switzerland | Relocation support available
We are supporting a global R&D organisation in the appointment of a Director, Pre-Clinical Biological Sciences & Evidence Development to lead a multidisciplinary team developing scientific evidence to support future product innovation and claim substantiation.
This is a senior scientific leadership position for someone who has built their career in biological research and progressed into leading scientists, research programmes and scientific strategy.
The successful individual does not need to be the technical expert in every discipline. We are looking for a broad scientific leader capable of guiding specialists across different health territories and experimental approaches.
The role
You will lead a team of scientists developing nonclinical research programmes across health territories including neuroscience, oral health, cardiovascular/cardiometabolic and pulmonary/respiratory health.
Research may span in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo and modelling approaches, with responsibility for ensuring the right scientific strategies and studies are developed to address defined research and business needs.
You will:
- Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists.
- Define and guide nonclinical scientific and evidence-development strategies.
- Guide research addressing mechanisms, target validation and efficacy.
- Critically evaluate scientific data, study designs and research strategies.
- Provide scientific leadership across disciplines and health territories beyond your own original specialism.
- Work cross-functionally with R&D, Innovation, Clinical, Strategy, Portfolio Management and other functions.
- Translate complex science into clear recommendations for senior and non-scientific stakeholders.
- Present scientific programmes and recommendations to senior leadership and governance groups.
- Collaborate with internal laboratories and external scientific partners.
What we're looking for
- PhD in a relevant biological science.
- 12+ years' post-PhD experience, which may include a combination of postdoctoral and industry experience.
- Industry R&D experience, ideally within a large organisation; pharmaceutical experience preferred.
- Strong scientific expertise in at least one relevant health territory: neuroscience, oral health, cardiovascular/cardiometabolic or pulmonary/respiratory health.
- Experience leading scientific programmes across different disciplines, methodologies and health territories.
- Direct people-management experience, including coaching and developing scientists.
- Experience defining scientific strategy rather than solely executing studies.
- Earlier-career experience personally designing scientific studies.
- Experience leading research involving in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo approaches, without needing to be an expert in all three.
- Experience working cross-functionally within a matrix R&D environment.
- Strong critical and strategic thinking.
- Excellent scientific communication skills, including presenting to senior stakeholders or governance groups.
Particularly valuable
Experience across multiple relevant health territories and developing scientific evidence against a defined product, claim or business objective would be highly valuable.
Relevant backgrounds may include pharmaceutical R&D, consumer health, medical nutrition or other health-focused FMCG R&D organisations. Senior CRO scientists may also be considered where they have owned scientific strategy and worked closely with clients' broader development objectives.
This role would particularly suit someone who began their career as a hands-on scientist and has since developed into a broad scientific leader, comfortable guiding specialists and connecting high-quality science with wider innovation and business objectives.
What’s in it for you?
Join a large, well-funded global organisation with a strong focus on science, innovation and the development of future products.
You’ll have the opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary scientific team, influence high-profile R&D programmes and work across a broad range of health and scientific areas.
The role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, along with relocation support to Switzerland.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you — apply today.