Chief Scientific Officer

Swiss Cancer Institute; Bern; Hybrid; CHF 180.000 - 270.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Hybrid work model

Flexible annual hours

Up to six weeks of vacation on request

Zusammenfassung

The Swiss Cancer Institute in Bern, Switzerland is seeking a Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to lead the Clinical Science Department (≈10 people) and shape the institute's scientific strategy. You will oversee research quality, trial development, and collaboration with hospitals and academics.

The CSO will drive investigator-initiated trials, foster innovation in oncology, build national and international partnerships, and represent the institute at major conferences.

Qualifikationen

• Leadership and management experience
• Proven track record in oncology/hematology or related life sciences with clinical research
• Strong background in clinical research, translational science and interdisciplinarity
• Strong strategic mindset, entrepreneurial attitude and solution-oriented thinking
• Excellent project management expertise
• Very good communication, representation and negotiating skills
• Excellent written and oral communication in English; German/French/Italian a plus
• High resilience, integrity and decision-making ability

Aufgaben

• Lead and develop the Clinical Science Department and implement scientific strategy
• Oversee investigator-initiated trials and translational research
• Build national and international research collaborations and represent the institute at conferences
• Drive business development, partnerships, and fundraising
• Mentor talent and participate in executive board decisions

Kenntnisse

Leadership experience

Strategic mindset

Project management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Resilience

Integrity

English proficiency

Ausbildung

MD in medicine

PhD in natural/pharmaceutical sciences

Related field

Jobbeschreibung

The Swiss Cancer Institute is the national network for clinical cancer research in Switzerland. Since 1965, we have been committed to improving cancer treatment for the Swiss population as a non-profit organization. Guided by our vision “Clinical research for a cure tomorrow,” we conduct oncology clinical trials and serve as a key partner for authorities, professional associations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 70 employees at our Competence Center in Bern work closely with all leading oncology clinics across the country.

As CSO, you will lead and further develop the Clinical Science Department (approximately 10 people). You will shape and implement the scientific strategy of the institute, foster innovation and collaboration, and represent the organization nationally and internationally.

Chief Scientific Officer CSO (80-100%)

Your tasks:

• Scientific & Strategic Leadership: Lead the team that drives and implements the overall scientific strategy in close collaboration with physician-scientists from Swiss hospitals and universities, support study protocol development, ensure GCP and research quality, and serve as scientific spokesperson to authorities and partners. You will oversee planning and control of finances, timelines, quality, and resources of the unit, ensuring successful project execution until transfer to Clinical Operations
• Research & Innovation: Monitor global trends (e.g., immunotherapies, precision medicine, AI in oncology), initiate and support collaborations for innovative research projects and strengthen interdisciplinarity, contribute to efficiency of the organization in terms of speed and costs of trial development
• Networking & Partnerships: Build strong relationships with research group leadership, core teams and contribute to the development of a strong research network across cancer types, build and expand national and international research collaborations (e.g., National Partners and platforms, international research groups, pharma and biotech partners, ,), represent the institute at leading oncology conferences (ASCO, ESMO, ASH).
• Business Development: Develop new partnerships with industry and funding bodies, con-tribute to grant applications and fundraising and translate complex research into impactful messages for stakeholders, policymakers and the public
• Executive Leadership: Lead the Clinical Science team (Senior Scientific Director, Head of Clinical Development, Medical Science Liaison), mentor scientific talent and contribute actively to the Executive Board. Represent the Clinical Science team in key decision bodies in alignment with the CEO, the Senior Scientific Director and the COO

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Leadership and management experience (experience in influencing without hierarchy)
• University degree in medicine (MD), natural or pharmaceutical sciences (PhD) or a related field
• Proven track record in oncology/hematology or related life sciences, with experience in Investigator Initiated Trials (Academic track record in leading clinical research is a strong plus)
• Strong background in clinical research, translational science and interdisciplinary collab-oration
• Strong strategic mindset, entrepreneurial attitude and solution-oriented thinking. Excellent project management expertise
• Very good communication, representation and negotiating skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. German, French or Italian a plus.
• High resilience, integrity and decision‑making ability
• Experience in clinical trial methodology, indata science or AI for clinical research either from industry (Development, Medical Affairs) or from academia/hospital-environnemnt are an advantage.

We offer you:

Join us and make a meaningful contribution to clinical cancer research in Switzerland. You can expect a collegial and dynamic work environment, flexible annual working hours, up to six weeks of vacation upon request and a hybrid work model (two days on‑site, three days remote for a 100% workload).

Interested?

Would you like to contribute to one of the greatest health challenges of our time? For further information, please contact Vincent Gruntz, CEO (Tel. [phone])

Swiss Cancer Institute

Effingerstrasse 33
3008 Bern
[phone]

[e-mail]