Science Lead - Drug Candidate Search and Evaluation

11 drugs developed. 6 million courses of treatment. Immeasurable lives improved.

Science Lead - Drug Candidate Search & Evaluation

Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 pa depending on experience

Reports to: Chief Drug Development Scientist

Department: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (other flexible-working requests will also be considered if it meets business needs)

Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 1-2 days per month

Closing date: Sunday 20th October at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That's why we're looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We have a new opportunity for a Science Lead - Drug Candidate Search & Evaluation to join our Centre for Drug Development (CDD). This is an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively with the CDD Partnerships team providing expert translational science support in the sourcing and evaluation of collaborative opportunities in oncology drug development.

About the team

The Cancer Research UK Centre for Drug Development (CDD) is a team of around 100 staff with core skills in early phase drug development. The CDD sits at the heart of the charity's innovation network of Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres and serves as a pivotal enabler for the translation of novel therapeutic concepts from bench to bedside. We are now set to embark on an exciting period of growth and strategic evolution that will underpin our ambition to become the 'go-to' European centre for drug development in the non-commercial sector. We have recently put in place collaborative agreements with likeminded funders of cancer research, the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) and the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) to support joint efforts in translating research into real patient benefit.

What will you be doing?

The drug candidates that comprise the CDD portfolio are sourced proactively by a dedicated partnerships team that has developed innovative and flexible business models enabling collaboration with a wide range of academic institutes, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. We have created a new position for an experienced senior scientist to work with the partnerships team in the search and evaluation of future collaborative drug development opportunities for CDD. You will be joining at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the CDD and this role offers an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the direction of next generation drug development.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• To act as an 'scientific ambassador' for the CDD engaging in discussions with prospective academic and industry partners.
• To proactively identify research organisations active in areas of emerging science and therapeutic concepts to fuel the future growth of the CDD development portfolio.
• To develop and maintain awareness and insight of current and future trends in oncology drug development and key areas of unmet need.
• To work seamlessly and collaboratively with the CDD scientific and medical teams in the evaluation of potential therapeutic candidates.
• To proactively network with key scientific and clinical stakeholders in the wider Cancer Research UK/Cancer Research Horizons network.
• To represent CRUK at relevant national and international meetings/conferences
• To demonstrate a commitment to the importance of increasing equality, diversity and inclusion in CRUK's drug development and clinical trial portfolio

What skills are we looking for?

• Previous experience of working on drug development projects that have achieved regulatory approval for clinical trial applications.
• Experience of working with a diverse range of therapeutic modalities.
• Experience of working in biotech and/or pharma.
• Well networked in the wider drug discovery and development or oncology communities.
• Gravitas and scientific credibility to lead scientific discussions with high profile academic and industrial collaborators.

Desirable

• Understanding of transactions and deal structures for early-stage assets.
• Experience of working in oncology.
• PhD in life sciences.

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.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

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Please note: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.