Principal Scientist / Associate Principal Scientist

Sygnature Discovery; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Sygnature Group Pension Scheme

1 paid volunteer day per year

Job summary

Sygnature Discovery is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist / Associate Principal Scientist with a strong ion channel background to join our established CRO. You will provide scientific leadership across electrophysiology projects, support multiple client programmes, and drive assay development and innovation.

You will mentor scientists and contribute to business development within a growing Electrophysiology and Cellular Pharmacology group.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant life sciences discipline.
• Significant electrophysiology experience (manual or automated patch clamp).
• Strong expertise in ion channel pharmacology and assay development.
• Proven ability to lead complex scientific projects and solve technical challenges.
• Excellent communication, presentation and client-facing skills.
• Experience mentoring or line managing scientific staff.
• Experience across GPCRs and transporter biology is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership across electrophysiology and pharmacology projects, including study design, execution, analysis and interpretation.
• Act as a subject matter expert in ion channel pharmacology and electrophysiology to support client programmes.
• Lead assay development, optimisation, validation and troubleshooting activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely, high-quality project delivery.
• Drive innovation through new technologies and workflows.
• Build strong client relationships via scientific discussions and data presentations.
• Support business development and growth of electrophysiology services.
• Mentor and develop scientists within the team, including line management.

Skills

Ion channel pharmacology

Electrophysiology

Leadership & project oversight

Client-facing communication

Mentoring staff

GPCRs & transporters exposure

Drug discovery experience

Education

PhD in Pharmacology/ Physiology/ Neuroscience/ Cell Biology

BSc/MSc with substantial industrial drug discovery experience

Job description

About Sygnature Discovery

At Sygnature Discovery, we create exceptional scientific outcomes. For our customers, who bring life-changing medicines to patients; and for our people, who help make this possible.

We’re 700+ scientists from over 50 countries, working as one across Europe and North America. With no competing internal programs, we offer total confidentiality and commitment.

Over the past 20 years, we’ve earned a track record of real impact: 60+ advanced candidates, 250 patents filed, 200+ active projects. Over 90% of our customers choose to stay with us – from biotechs racing to clinic to pharma companies that need specialised expertise for targeted challenges.

About the role

Our Electrophysiology and Cellular Pharmacology department plays a crucial role in supporting drug discovery programmes focused on ion channels, GPCRs and transporters for biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients worldwide.

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Scientist / Associate Principal Scientist with a strong ion channel background to join an established CRO. You will have the opportunity to work across a variety of pipelines and diverse programmes, tackling scientific challenges and bringing innovation to help move medicines closer to patients.

Acting as a subject matter expert in ion channel pharmacology and electrophysiology, you will support multiple client programmes while providing scientific leadership, project oversight and client-facing support within our growing Electrophysiology and Cellular Pharmacology group.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership across electrophysiology and pharmacology projects, including study design, execution, analysis, and interpretation.
• Act as a subject matter expert in ion channel pharmacology and electrophysiology, supporting multiple client programmes.
• Lead assay development, optimisation, validation, and troubleshooting activities.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely, high-quality project delivery.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through the implementation of new technologies and workflows.
• Build strong client relationships through scientific discussions, data presentations, and project leadership.
• Support business development activities and contribute to the growth of the electrophysiology service offering.
• Mentor and develop scientists within the team, including line management responsibilities.

Skills & Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Pharmacology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, or a related discipline; alternatively a BSc/MSc with substantial industrial drug discovery experience.
• Significant electrophysiology experience (manual or automated patch clamp) gained either within a CRO, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical environment.
• Strong expertise in ion channel pharmacology and assay development.
• Proven ability to lead complex scientific projects and solve technical challenges.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.
• Experience mentoring or line managing scientific staff.
• Experience across broader receptor biology and cellular pharmacology areas, including GPCRs and transporters.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Sygnature Group Pension Scheme
• 1 paid volunteer day per year