Scientific Director

Cognite; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus and incentives

Hybrid working (home-based + Holborn)

Frequent social and team events

Company closure between Christmas and

Job summary

Cognite is a dynamic medical communications agency focused on turning complex science into clear stories. We are seeking a passionate Scientific Director to lead scientific content for allocated brands, collaborate across teams, and drive innovative, evidence-based outputs.

Reporting to the Scientific Services Director, you will own content, mentor writers, shape client strategy, and contribute to pitches. This hybrid London role offers autonomy, growth, and the chance to transform therapies.

Qualifications

• Experience in a medical communications agency with a background in medical writing.
• Ability to work independently and in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic mindset to partner with colleagues and clients.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate deep scientific knowledge to shape promotional deliverables.
• Own scientific content ensuring high quality and consistency across outputs.
• Establish client trust as a reliable source of scientific guidance.
• Lead scientific strategy for allocated accounts.
• Lead on complex scientific discussions with the client.
• Facilitate client meetings and workshops as required.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless delivery of projects.
• Contribute to new business opportunities through pitches and discussions.

Skills

Medical writing

Strategic mindset

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Undergraduate science degree

Postgraduate qualification or PhD

Job description

In the fast-changing world where our clients deliver life-changing medicines and technology, Cognite’s dynamic team drives our mission of bringing science to life.

As an independent agency, we create clear, compelling communications, focusing on the transformative therapies that are inspiring the future of healthcare and the highly complex diseases they treat.

Our Copy team enjoy independence and ownership across a wide variety of projects. Supported by our expert Editorial and PromoMats teams, our writers are able to truly focus on turning complex science into compelling stories and brand messages.

We are looking for a passionate Scientific Director to join our growing team. Reporting into the Scientific Services Director, you will be responsible for:

• Demonstrating an in-depth and authoritative scientific knowledge of allocated brands and therapy areas, including an awareness of emerging evidence and trends, and using this to shape promotional deliverables
• Owning the scientific content for allocated brands, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency across all outputs through hands-on content development and overseeing the work of other writers
• Establishing a reputation with clients as a knowledgeable and reliable source of high‑quality scientific guidance, and acting as a partner whose opinion they actively seek
• Working as a scientific strategy lead for allocated accounts, and advising on non-allocated accounts when needed
• Leading on complex scientific discussions with the client
• Facilitating client meetings and workshops when required
• Collaborating with internal colleagues and departments, including Client Services, Creative, Editorial and Strategy, to ensure the seamless delivery of projects
• Contributing to new business opportunities through leading on scientific content at pitches and discussions with new clients, and proactively identifying potential new business opportunities

We believe someone with a deep interest in science and medical communications and the following experience could be a good match for this role:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant science (essential) or a postgraduate qualification or PhD (desirable)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced setting
• Proven experience in a medical communications agency, with a background in medical writing
• A strategic mindset, to partner with colleagues and our clients
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Cognite’s agency values – Everyone matters; Science at the heart; Entrepreneurial mindset; True partners; and Doing the right thing – shape how we work every day. We believe every individual can make a positive difference; we put science at the core of everything we do; we embrace curiosity and courage to find solutions; we build lasting partnerships focused on shared goals; and we act with integrity and inclusivity in all our interactions.

Our benefits include:

• Discretionary company bonus and incentive schemes
• Hybrid working (home-based + co-working space in Holborn, Central London)
• Frequent social and team events
• Company closure between Christmas and New Year

If you are passionate about bringing science to life, then we would love to hear from you.