Preclinical Project Lead – Rare Neurological Diseases

LifeArc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Pension contributions up to 12%

31 days annual leave + bank holidays

Disability confident employer – if you

Job summary

LifeArc is seeking a Principal Scientist, Preclinical Project Leadership in Rare Neurological Diseases in London, with travel to Stevenage. This permanent role follows a hybrid Working pattern requiring 3 days in the office.

You will lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality preclinical research, shape strategy for the rare neurological disease portfolio, and drive milestones from discovery through IND to maximise patient impact.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in project leadership of Rare Neurological Disease drug discovery programmes in Pharma, Biotech or another translational environment.
• Strong understanding of key data needed to progress drug discovery programmes through preclinical milestones to IND.
• Firm operational knowledge of later stage preclinical and clinical development pathways to expedite patient impact.
• Proven record of delivery of research projects/programmes, and commitment to innovation, high-quality and rigour.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with proven ability to work with R&D leaders at different levels of seniority.
• Experience managing and resourcing portfolios with multiple stakeholders, including external partners and as part of collaborations or consortia.
• Preferably experience across multiple therapeutic modalities (e.g. biologics, small molecules etc).

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Rare Neurological Disease projects and programmes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to achieve key milestones on time, within budget and to the required scientific quality, while contributing to portfolio prioritisation and strategic decision-making
• Provide scientific leadership and translational expertise to advance Rare Neurological Disease assets from discovery towards IND, ensuring scientific rigour, innovation, and the application of emerging scientific and technical developments
• Support governance, due diligence and external partnership activities, building strong stakeholder relationships and representing LifeArc to advance preclinical projects, collaborations and portfolio growth opportunities
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture by championing continuous learning, modelling LifeArc’s values and behaviours, and promoting excellence in delivery

Skills

Project leadership

Rare neurological disease expertise

Stakeholder management

Translational science

Portfolio management

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional leadership

Education

PhD in life sciences

Job description

LifeArc is seeking a Principal Scientist, Preclinical Project Leadership in Rare Neurological Diseases in London, with travel to Stevenage. This permanent role follows a hybrid Working pattern requiring 3 days in the office.

You will lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality preclinical research, shape strategy for the rare neurological disease portfolio, and drive milestones from discovery through IND to maximise patient impact.