Lead Scientist, Translational Biology Immunology

ZipRecruiter; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Scientist in Translational Biology Immunology to drive innovative research and development. This role offers the chance to lead projects aimed at advancing novel therapies for immune disorders, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in drug discovery, particularly in immunology, and a passion for translating scientific discoveries into impactful treatments. With a state-of-the-art R&D center in Cambridge, this position promises a dynamic work environment where your contributions will shape the future of patient care.

Benefits

State-of-the-art R&D centre

Competitive compensation package

Discretionary cash bonuses

Restricted Stock Units

26 days annual leave

Employer pension contribution

Private Medical Insurance

Subsidised gym membership

Income protection

Group Death in Service

Qualifications

• PhD or BSc with experience in immunology projects and drug development.
• Extensive experience in planning and interpreting target validation studies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute Target Identification and Validation initiatives.
• Oversee development of immunology assays at CROs.

Skills

Project Leadership

CRO Management

Preclinical Target Validation

Translational Studies

Immunology Assays

Data Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

PhD in Drug Discovery or Development

BSc in Drug Discovery or Development

Tools

Flow Cytometry

RNA Expression Analysis

Biochemical Signalling

MSD/ELISA

Job description

Job Description

CK Group are working in partnership with Nxera Pharma to recruit a Lead Scientist, Translational Biology Immunology, to join their Translational Biology Immunology and Metabolism group.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of project leadership, CRO management, expertise in planning and executing preclinical target validation, and translational studies to support project deliverables.

Location: Granta Park, Cambridge.

About the company:

Nxera Pharma (formerly Sosei Heptares) is a technology powered biopharma company, in pursuit of new specialty medicines to improve the lives of patients with unmet needs globally. Their pipeline is focused on addressing major unmet needs in some of the fastest-growing areas of medicine across CNS, GI and immunology, metabolic disorders and rare diseases, and leverages the power of their unique and industry leading GPCR-targeted structure-based drug discovery “NxWave” platform to provide a sustainable source of best- or first-in-class candidates.

In Cambridge UK, Nxera have built outstanding capabilities across their platform, discovery and translational medicine teams, to advance multiple programs from pre-clinical through to early clinical development.

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to work across diverse functional groups within Nxera Pharma and with external industrial and academic collaborators. The Translational Biology Team is a multidisciplinary team focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying human disease biology.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about advancing novel therapies and biomarker strategies for the treatment of immune disorders.

Responsibilities will include:

1. Leading, executing and driving new Target Identification and Validation initiatives.
2. Ensuring a robust translational framework is embedded early in the project lifetime to drive clear decision making in the clinic.
3. Oversee the development and optimisation of functional immunology assays at CROs.
4. Depending on experience, may act as the Project Translational lead.

Skills and Experience:

1. PhD with demonstrable drug discovery or development experience or BSc with demonstrable drug discovery or development experience in immunology projects.
2. Extensive experience in the planning, analysis, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo target validation and translational studies for immunological targets.
3. Proven technical knowledge in interrogating complex immunological mechanisms using a range of in vitro and ex vivo immunological assays (e.g. isolated leukocyte subset functional assays, flow cytometry, RNA expression analysis, biochemical signalling, MSD/ELISA, imaging).
4. Strong track record in human and rodent primary immune cell assay development and optimisation.
5. Good understanding of Home Office legislation governing in vivo research and direct experience in the experimental design and oversight of in vivo studies.
6. Proven ability in data analysis and problem-solving, skilled at delivering decision-making data.
7. Proven ability to work effectively in a fast paced, multidisciplinary matrix team environment.
8. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and ability to thrive in team setting.
9. Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.

Desirable:

1. Hands-on experience in managing outsourced studies with CROs or academic partners.
2. Project leadership experience within a biotech or pharma setting; alternatively, if coming from an academic background, experience working in industry collaborations would be beneficial.
3. A strong background in translational research and proven ability to plan and execute translational strategies to support decision making in clinical studies.

What’s in it for you?

1. State-of-the-art R&D centre located in the heart of the Cambridge science cluster.
2. Competitive compensation package including discretionary cash bonuses.
3. Eligible for grants of Restricted Stock Units.
4. 26 days annual leave in addition to public holidays plus the option to purchase an additional 5 days each year.
5. Employer contribution to pension.
6. Private Medical Insurance for employees and family and a cash plan for dental and optical reimbursement.
7. Health and wellbeing benefits including a subsidised individual gym membership.
8. Income protection to cover long term absences due to ill health.
9. Group Death in Service equal to 4x basic annual salary.

Apply: Please quote job reference 123 438 in all correspondence.