Head of Scientific Affairs

Parkside Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkside Recruitment seeks a Head of Scientific Affairs to lead microbiome, probiotic and nutrition science communications in the UK. You will shape strategy, liaise with academia and industry, and translate evidence into credible external communications.

You will manage a scientific affairs team, drive stakeholder engagement, ensure regulatory-compliant messaging and report to leadership on strategic developments across Europe.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in scientific affairs, nutrition or microbiome fields.
• Postgraduate qualification; PhD would be highly desirable.
• Strong communication and leadership capabilities in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute UK scientific affairs strategy aligned with global priorities.
• Lead scientific content strategy for healthcare professionals and communications.
• Build relationships with academia, healthcare bodies and industry stakeholders.
• Coordinate data collection, human studies and regulatory-compliant claims.
• Oversee UK and Ireland research; ensure high-quality studies meet standards.
• Represent the organisation at conferences and scientific meetings.
• Develop scientific communications for professionals and consumers.
• Collaborate with Communications, Regulatory and Commercial teams.
• Provide scientific counsel to senior management on opportunities and risks.
• Lead and develop the scientific affairs team; manage budgets and projects.
• Coordinate with European Science colleagues to align policies and priorities.

Skills

5+ years experience

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Team leadership

Budget management

Scientific judgement

Education

Postgraduate degree

PhD desirable

Job description

Head of Scientific Affairs – Microbiome & Probiotic Science

Location: UK

Travel: UK, Europe & International travel required

Function: Scientific Affairs / Nutrition / Healthcare

Are you a senior scientific professional with a passion for microbiome science, probiotics and nutrition.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Scientific Affairs to lead scientific strategy, thought leadership and science communications for a well-established international organisation operating at the forefront of probiotic and functional food science.

This is a high-profile role for someone who can combine scientific credibility with commercial awareness, translating complex evidence into compelling, accurate and responsible communications for healthcare professionals, academics, policymakers, media, consumers and internal stakeholders.

The Role

As Head of Scientific Affairs, you will act as the organisation's senior scientific authority, shaping the UK scientific affairs strategy while working closely with European and global science teams.

You will build and strengthen relationships with key opinion leaders across academia, healthcare, medical associations, research institutions and the food industry, while helping to establish the organisation as a trusted voice in microbiome and probiotic science.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing the UK scientific affairs strategy in alignment with European and global priorities.
• Leading the scientific content strategy for healthcare professionals and providing expert scientific input into communications, PR and commercial initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with academics, healthcare professionals, scientific organisations and other key opinion formers.
• Identifying emerging scientific, regulatory and societal trends across microbiome science, nutrition and gut health.
• Coordinating scientific data collection, research and human studies relating to probiotic strains, products and new functional foods.
• Ensuring scientific claims and communications are supported by robust evidence and comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
• Overseeing UK and Ireland-based research, ensuring studies are appropriately established and conducted to recognised standards.
• Representing the organisation at national and international conferences and scientific meetings.
• Developing educational and scientific communications for healthcare professionals, scientific audiences and consumers.
• Working collaboratively with Communications, PR, Regulatory and Commercial teams to translate scientific insights into credible stakeholder engagement programmes.
• Providing scientific counsel to senior management on opportunities, risks and reputation-related issues.
• Reviewing and approving scientifically focused materials produced by other departments.
• Managing, motivating and developing members of the scientific affairs team.
• Managing scientific projects and contributing to departmental budget planning and control.
• Working closely with European Science colleagues to ensure consistency of scientific policies, materials and priorities.
• Reporting on departmental projects and scientific developments to UK and European leadership.

About You

You will be an accomplished scientific professional with 5+ years' relevant experience in scientific affairs, nutrition, healthcare, academia, microbiome science or a related discipline.

You will ideally bring:

• A postgraduate scientific qualification; a PhD would be highly desirable.
• Experience developing and delivering scientific or medical affairs strategies.
• Experience organising and/or overseeing human studies and research projects.
• Strong knowledge of food, nutrition and health claim regulations and experience working within a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to critically evaluate scientific studies and translate complex evidence for different audiences.
• Experience communicating with scientific experts, healthcare professionals and the general public.
• Strong team and project management experience, including budget management.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with senior external stakeholders and key opinion leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence and credibility to represent an organisation externally at conferences and scientific forums.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to apply biological and health information within a business environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to scientific accuracy and integrity.

A full UK driving licence would be advantageous, and the role requires the flexibility to travel across the UK, Europe and internationally, including overnight stays.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the scientific reputation of a globally recognised organisation within the probiotic, microbiome and functional food sector.

You will have the opportunity to influence scientific strategy at a senior level, build meaningful relationships across the healthcare and academic communities, lead a specialist team and help translate cutting‑edge science into responsible, impactful communications.