Principal Scientist, Preclinical Biology & Pharmacology
Location: Switzerland | Relocation support available
We are supporting a global R&D organisation in the appointment of a Principal Scientist, Preclinical Biology & Pharmacology to provide scientific leadership for pre-clinical programmes supporting future product innovation.
This is a senior individual-contributor position for an experienced pharmacologist who has progressed from hands-on research into leading multidisciplinary pharmacology programmes and guiding the scientific strategy required to progress novel compounds.
We are looking for someone from the biological & pharmacological side of compound development — understanding what compounds do biologically and determining the pharmacology evidence required to support their development. This is not a medicinal chemistry, DMPK or PK/PD modelling position.
The role
You will develop the pharmacology strategy and lead its implementation and execution across novel-compound programmes.
The research may involve in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo approaches, with the Principal Scientist responsible for bringing together evidence from different scientific disciplines to guide programme decisions.
You do not need to personally perform every type of study. You should, however, understand how the different evidence streams fit together and be able to provide scientific direction to specialists contributing to the programme.
You will:
- Develop and lead pre-clinical pharmacology strategies for novel compounds.
- Lead the implementation and execution of pharmacology programmes from a scientific and operational perspective.
- Determine the studies and pharmacology evidence required to support programme progression.
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams without direct line-management responsibility.
- Guide programmes involving in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo research.
- Integrate pharmacology findings with PK, PK/PD and DMPK information generated by specialist teams to inform development decisions.
- Critically evaluate scientific data, study designs and proposed development strategies.
- Work closely with Project Management, Clinical, Computational Biology and other scientific specialists within a matrix R&D environment.
- Provide scientific guidance while drawing on expertise from specialists across different disciplines.
- Translate complex science into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Present scientific programmes, strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and governance groups.
- Work with internal scientists and external research partners where appropriate.
What we're looking for
- PhD in pharmacology or a closely related life-science discipline
- 10+ years' post-PhD experience, which may include a combination of postdoctoral and industry experience.
- Strong background in pre-clinical pharmacology.
- Experience leading pharmacology programmes supporting the development of novel compounds.
- Experience developing the scientific strategy for pharmacology programmes rather than solely executing individual studies.
- Experience leading projects or programmes from both a strategic and operational perspective.
- Previous hands-on experience designing scientific studies earlier in your career.
- Broad experience across nonclinical pharmacology, including exposure to in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo research. You do not need to be an expert in all three.
- Strong understanding of how PK, PK/PD and DMPK information contributes to pharmacology and compound-development decisions. You do not need to be a PK modeller or DMPK specialist.
- Strong scientific experience in at least one relevant health territory, particularly neuroscience/neuropharmacology, cardiovascular/cardiometabolic, pulmonary/respiratory or oral health.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and working with scientific specialists outside your own area of expertise (in relation to therapeutic area and research methods).
- Experience working cross-functionally within a matrix R&D organisation.
- Experience presenting programmes, strategies or recommendations to senior stakeholders or governance groups.
- Strong strategic and critical thinking.
- Excellent scientific communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex science for different audiences.
- Experience within a large pharmaceutical R&D organisation, or a CRO where you have genuinely helped define pharmacology strategy for pharmaceutical development programmes.
- Holding an EU/EFTA/Switzerland passport or having a valid legal right to work in Switzerland, and being able to relocate.
Particularly valuable experience
Experience applying pharmacology across more than one relevant health territory would be particularly valuable, especially across neuroscience, cardiovascular/cardiometabolic, pulmonary/respiratory or oral health.
Exposure to translational or clinical pharmacology would also be beneficial, given the highly cross-functional nature of the position.
We are interested in pharmacologists who have worked with small molecules and/or other relevant bioactive compounds. The role is not primarily focused on monoclonal antibodies, gene therapies or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
CRO backgrounds may be considered where you have genuinely defined scientific strategy, recommended the studies required and led programmes for pharmaceutical clients, rather than primarily delivering individual studies against a strategy defined by the client.
What's in it for you?
Join a large, well-funded global organisation with a strong focus on science, innovation and future product development.
You will have the opportunity to lead scientifically complex programmes, work across multiple health territories and scientific disciplines, and influence important development decisions while remaining closely connected to the science.
The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, along with relocation support to Switzerland.
If you're an experienced pharmacologist who enjoys bringing together different areas of science to guide novel compounds through development, we'd love to hear from you.
Before applying: Please review the must-have requirements carefully and answer the screening questions accurately. These reflect specific criteria agreed with the hiring team and will be verified against your experience before progression.