Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director

Sygnature Discovery North America; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; 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, based in Glasgow, seeks a Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director to lead the Electrophysiology & Cellular Pharmacology group across client programmes worldwide.

You will shape experimental strategy, drive high-quality outcomes, and mentor scientists while expanding ion channel drug-discovery collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, cell biology or related field.
• Extensive electrophysiology experience including patch clamp techniques.
• Deep ion channel pharmacology knowledge with drug discovery experience.
• Proven leadership of complex programmes and multi-project delivery.
• Strong client-facing skills and ability to guide scientific decisions.
• Experience supporting business development and proposals.
• Mentor and develop scientific staff with a culture of excellence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee client projects with scientific excellence, timelines and satisfaction.
• Lead assay development, optimisation, validation and new tech adoption.
• Provide scientific oversight across multiple programmes and assess risks.
• Build relationships with biotech/pharma clients as a trusted partner.
• Contribute to proposals, study design and strategic account development.
• Drive growth of electrophysiology and ion channel service offerings.
• Collaborate with leadership on strategy, resources and capability growth.

Skills

Electrophysiology

Patch clamp

Ion channel pharmacology

Program leadership

Client relations

Business development

Mentoring

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Automated patch clamp

Manual patch clamp

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

We are seeking a Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director to join our Glasgow team and provide scientific, strategic and operational leadership across the Electrophysiology & Cellular Pharmacology group.

You will lead a portfolio of electrophysiology and cellular pharmacology programmes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes for our clients. As a recognised subject matter expert in ion channel pharmacology and electrophysiology, you will shape experimental strategy, study design, data interpretation and scientific decision-making.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced scientific leader with a strong ion channel background who is passionate about advancing drug discovery. You will help shape our scientific direction, influence organisational growth and lead innovative programmes for a diverse range of biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners.

Role Responsibilities

• Oversee the successful execution of client projects, ensuring scientific excellence, operational efficiency, adherence to timelines, and client satisfaction.
• Lead assay development, optimisation, validation, and implementation activities, driving adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies.
• Provide scientific and technical oversight across multiple complex programmes, identifying risks, resolving challenges, and ensuring successful project delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients, acting as a trusted scientific partner and key client contact.
• Contribute to business development activities through scientific input to proposals, study design, client discussions, presentations, and strategic account development.
• Drive growth of the electrophysiology and ion channel service offering
• Work collaboratively with leadership team to define departmental strategy, resource planning, and long-term capability development.
• Lead, mentor, and manage scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, or a related discipline, or equivalent industrial experience.
• Extensive experience in electrophysiology, including automated and/or manual patch clamp techniques, and strong commercial awareness gained within a CRO, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical drug discovery environment.
• Deep understanding of ion channel pharmacology and proven experience supporting ion channel-focused drug discovery programmes.
• Proven track record of leading complex scientific programmes and delivering successful outcomes across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong client-facing skills, with experience presenting data, providing scientific guidance, and developing trusted client relationships.
• Experience contributing to business development activities, including proposal development, study design, and support of new business opportunities.
• Proven ability to mentor, develop, and line manage scientific staff, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

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

Please note: This advert may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

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 programs, we offer total confidentiality and commitment.

Over the past 20 years, we’ve earned a track record of real impact: 60+ advanced candidates, 200+ 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.