Principal Scientist (Mechanistic Pharmacology)

Cancer Research UK; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Principal Scientist in Mechanistic Pharmacology to lead design, development and execution of cellular assays that profile SAR/SKR for small molecule therapeutics. You will shape project strategy, drive scientific leadership, and collaborate with industry and academic partners to advance candidates toward clinical evaluation.

The role offers opportunities to stay at the cutting edge of cellular pharmacology, publish work, present at conferences, and contribute to a

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in biology or related field.
• Significant experience in drug discovery with cellular pharmacology focus.
• Proven ability to design and run quantitative cell-based assays.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and run cellular assays to profile SAR/SKR of small molecules.
• Lead project strategy and influence decision-making within the Cellular Pharmacology team.
• Champion innovative cellular pharmacology techniques and disseminate findings.

Skills

Cellular pharmacology

Assay development

Leadership

Quantitative pharmacology

Microscopy

Education

PhD in biology

Tools

Imaging systems

Assay instrumentation

Job description

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer

.

We are looking for a talented scientific leader with significant experience in pre-clinical cellular pharmacology within an industrial drug discovery setting to join our Mechanistic Pharmacology group as a Principal Scientist.

As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring fourteen new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.

Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is CRUK’s internal translation engine. CRUK’s established drug discovery teams operate under one organisation and leadership team. Our unique combination of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world‑class academic network, coupled with cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise enables us to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.

Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~180 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds.

What will you be doing?

Our strategy sets out to bring deeper mechanistic understanding at the molecular and cellular level to all stages of projects, from idea to pre-clinical candidate.

This role is focussed on designing, developing and running of cellular assays to identify, profile and characterise the SAR/SKR of small molecules therapeutics, as well as the bespoke characterisation of their mechanism of action to inform dose‑prediction and clinical efficacy. As a Principal Scientist within the Cellular Pharmacology team, you will be a senior scientific leader, driving project strategy, influencing decision‑making, and helping to shape the future direction of the group.

The successful candidate will champion innovative ways of working by staying at the forefront of advances in cellular pharmacology techniques and applying emerging techniques to drug discovery challenges. We actively encourage colleagues to share and celebrate our science through conference attendance, poster and oral presentations, and publications. This role offers the opportunity to play an integral part in the Cancer Research Horizon Drug Discovery, working closely with industry and academic partners to progress novel cancer targets towards patient benefit.

(Please check the additional job description located in the application form to view the full list of responsibilities).

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative scientific leader who can shape project direction, influence decision‑making, and drive high‑quality science. You will be passionate about developing others, fostering a culture of excellence, and delivering impactful outcomes in a fast‑paced drug discovery environment.

You will also bring:

• A BSc, MSc or PhD in biological science; relevant experience can be substituted for education
• Significant experience in a drug discovery environment of characterising targets and their modulation by small molecules through quantitative cellular pharmacology, including a kinetic context
• Demonstrated theoretical and practical understanding of pharmacology and drug‑target interactions
• Expertise in assay development across a range of quantitative cell‑based assay technologies, with the ability to input across multiple projects both at the lab bench and intellectually
• Significant experience of using microscopy/imaging in a quantitative pharmacology setting would be highly desirable
• Demonstrated scientific leadership skills with ability to give strategic direction
• Experience of managing the performance and development of line reports
• Credible external reputation, as evidenced though publication, presentation at key conferences, and a strong personal network

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.