Director - DMPK

Pharmaron; Hoddesdon; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaron in Hoddesdon is seeking a Director in DMPK to shape strategy and lead multi-modality drug discovery efforts. You will guide DMPK, ADME, modelling and PKPD science, collaborating with client partners and international teams to drive IND-enabling work and programme progression.

The role offers leadership of a growing DMPK group, with opportunities to influence portfolio and scientific direction across Pharmaron’s integrated discovery platforms.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences).
• Significant experience in DMPK drug discovery and development with a track record of scientific delivery.
• Deep understanding of mechanistic DMPK and ADME sciences; knowledge across discovery disciplines.
• Multi-year experience leading DMPK strategy within multidisciplinary teams and milestones.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience supervising or mentoring scientific colleagues.
• Experience across multiple modalities and/or modelling/simulation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead frontline DMPK strategy for multiple drug discovery projects.
• Drive hit finding to IND-enabling activities and candidate selection.
• Collaborate across cross-disciplinary teams and client partners to optimize molecules.
• Develop and present scientific plans, strategies, and results to stakeholders.
• Support new business by defining DMPK requirements for proposals.
• Integrate data to guide decision-making across ADME/PK properties and modelling.
• Ensure robust human PK and dose predictions across lifecycles.
• Provide scientific leadership and apply innovation to DMPK services.
• Mentor and develop DMPK colleagues and researchers.

Skills

Leadership

DMPK strategy

Multi-disciplinary leadership

Scientific communication

Mentoring

Education

PhD in pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences

Tools

Modelling & simulation tools

Job description

Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO)helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the UK, US, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trialsacross all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers. To learn more, visit www.pharmaron.com

Our Hoddesdon campus comprises more than 5,000 m² of purpose-built R&D space and houses established Drug Discovery, Process Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry teams, alongside Drug Product Development and state-of-the-art GMP facilities. We offer a highly supportive and collaborative environment that enables our employees to develop and achieve their full potential.

The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding through to IND filing. Working closely with our partners we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and with an AI enabled accelerated Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycles support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.

About the Role

This Director in DMPK is a high-impact leadership role at the forefront of multi-modality drug discovery, where you will shape DMPK strategy, drive scientific excellence and deliver client programmes from target identification through to IND. Working across a global, AI-enabled platform, you will help accelerate innovative medicines towards the clinic.

With a rapidly expanding department and portfolio, our Drug Discovery DMPK function is seeking experienced scientific leaders with a passion for leading DMPK science and strengthening the capabilities of our research teams. As a Director in DMPK, you will provide expert guidance and delivery across DMPK, ADME, modelling and PKPD science for integrated drug discovery projects. You will lead DMPK input into multidisciplinary project teams, work directly with client partners and collaborate internationally across Pharmaron to drive project progression and enhance our overall DMPK capabilities.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Act as the frontline DMPK discipline contact, providing leadership and influence in the design of successful DMPK, PKPD, modelling and progression strategies for multiple drug discovery projects.
• Lead DMPK strategy from hit finding and lead optimisation through to candidate selection, nomination and IND-enabling activities.
• Work collaboratively within cross-disciplinary matrix teams and with client partners to support the design, identification and optimisation of candidate molecules.
• Develop and present scientific plans, strategies, results and achievements to external partners, internal stakeholders and senior management.
• Support new business opportunities by defining strategic DMPK requirements and contributing to proposals and client discussions.
• Interpret and integrate data across disciplines to guide project decisions, including the optimisation of ADME and PK properties, DDI assessments, formulation recommendations and PKPD or PBPK modelling.
• Ensure robust human PK and dose predictions throughout the project lifecycle to guide programme direction and assess clinical potential.
• Provide scientific leadership and expert technical direction across the department, applying innovation to scientific problem-solving and the enhancement of Pharmaron’s DMPK services.
• Supervise and mentor DMPK colleagues, supporting their scientific and professional development.

Requirements:

• PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific discipline, such as pharmacology or pharmaceutical sciences.
• Significant experience working on DMPK drug discovery and development projects, with a strong track record of scientific delivery.
• In-depth understanding of mechanistic DMPK and ADME science, with knowledge of related drug discovery disciplines.
• Multi- year experience working within multidisciplinary matrix teams and leading DMPK strategy across integrated projects and through milestones.
• Expertise in scientific problem-solving and the interpretation of complex DMPK and ADME data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of supervising or mentoring scientific colleagues.
• Experience of working across multiple modalities and /or experience in modelling and simulation would be advantageous.

Why Join Pharmaron?

This is not simply an opportunity to inherit an established function. It is an opportunity to build, shape and lead a business with significant strategic potential.

You will have the chance to:

• Directly influence a diverse portfolio of drug discovery programmes across different therapeutic areas and scientific approaches.
• Work closely with biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners to solve complex scientific challenges and accelerate innovative medicines towards the clinic.
• Shape your career within a global organisation committed to scientific excellence, innovation and continued capability development.
• Join an expanding and collaborative team that supports one another and places excellence at the heart of everything it does.

Package Highlights Include:

• Annual performance-related bonus.
• Pension scheme with employer contribution.
• Option for private medical insurance scheme.
• Life assurance and income protection benefits.
• Generous annual leave entitlement (with options to purchase additional days and transfer remaining days to following year*), plus public holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Professional membership support and continuous learning opportunities.
• Access to Pharmaron's global scientific network and career development pathways.

Collaborative Culture:

Thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners and collaborators.

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 25,000 employees and operations in the U.S., the U.K. and China. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimiative Action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.

• Job Category Scientific (Drug Discovery)