Senior Group Leader - Structural Biology, Biophysics and Protein Science

The Role

Are you an expert in Structural Biology, Biophysics or Protein Science and are you looking for a management role in a fast paced CRO environment?

Have you got proven people leader experience, with a drive to build, develop and motivate scientific teams?

Charles River Discovery are excited to offer an opportunity for a Senior Group Leader to become a key member of the Structural Biology, Biophysics and Protein Science management team. Providing strong scientific, operational and strategic leadership to multiple teams at both our Harlow and Chesterford Research Park sites. With the role being primarily based at our site in Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden, UK.

This department provides an extensive range of capabilities including protein engineering and production, Biophysics (SPR, NMR, ITC, DSF), Fragment screening and Structural Biology studies using both X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM. In this role you will be working in a matrix environment throughout our Discovery portfolio, this will allow you to gain experience across a wide range of therapeutic disease areas, target classes and various therapeutic modalities.    

What You'll Be Doing

Scientifically:

Responsible for project feasibility scoping with production, delivery and management review of high quality scientific proposals for challenging targets across the department’s main discipline areas.

Able to provide an expert level of support and troubleshooting to team members  in one or more disciplines of:

     - Structural Biology - Crystallisation, Liquid handlers, X-ray Crystallography, Cryo-EM

     - Protein Science - Construct Design, Protein Expression across Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic hosts, Protein Purification on AKTA platform (extensive range of Chromatography techniques), Protein Characterisation (HPLC-SEC, DLS, DSF)

     - Biophysics - SPR (Biacore and Bruker), Protein NMR, ITC, Fragment Screening 

People Leadership:

• Line management of up to 8 direct reports (scientific staff) in accordance with company directions and policies.

• Responsible for performance reviews, succession planning, development and training of team members.

• To mentor and coach team members in achieving their potential and advancing their careers.

• To ensure that all relevant reports operate in a safe manner at all times and ensure compliance with CRL site-based safety and compliance guidelines.

• To guide members of the team in technical aspects of your core discipline, aiding in assembly and presentation of complex datasets to our clients.

• Adopt a strategic role to future-proof the department from both technological and resourcing perspectives, working with the wider departmental management team.

• Contribute to the management and performance of the Protein Science, Biophysics and Structural Biology team by taking on selected responsibilities.

• Lead scientific projects and project teams aimed at maintaining client satisfaction as well as delivery on project objectives and financials.

• Apply a dynamic and flexible approach towards achieving client-based objectives and meeting challenging deadlines as required.

• Communicate confidently and concisely with clients via video conference, presentation, and written reports.

• In addition to leading their own projects, the successful candidate will be comfortable communicating across Charles River Laboratories global sites to drive efficiencies and enhance best practice.

Further responsibilities:

• Work closely with our Business Development teams to establish client needs and provide guidance to appropriate methods of achieving their goals with regards to skills available across CRL and secure new business.

• Manage managers, deal with a variety complex leadership and management issues as needed, working closely with Senior Leadership and HR. 

• Mentor and coach staff outside of usual remit.

Besides line management of direct reports, the Senior Group Leader will provide strong scientific and operational leadership to cross-discipline project team members and will be expected to interact across other CRL Discovery sites and disciplines, with a diverse range of global clients. Experience in people management in a multidisciplinary environment is a pre-requisite along with a proven track record of successful project management in a drug discovery setting within one of the department’s core disciplines. As a positive role model, a key attribute will be a demonstrated ability to push boundaries and inspire others.

What We Offer You

• A very comprehensive benefits package from day one, including a generous pension contribution, private medical, bonus, private dental, critical illness cover and more! 

• Access to great discounts via our CREDS discount scheme.

• Parental leave.

• Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection.

• Remote GP access 24/7.

• Well-being support and initiatives.

• Global opportunities and strong career progression.

• The chance to work on several varied projects and liaise globally and nationally with other business areas.

• To be able make a difference to health and wellbeing of people.

• To continue your own career growth.

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Cycle to work scheme.

Skills and Experience

• A minimum BSc in a related discipline, a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a field of relevance to structural biology and protein sciences is highly advantageous.

• Crystallisation expertise in an industrial or core facility group within a structural biology drug discovery environment is very desirable.

• Project leadership experience.

• Proven track record of impacting upon projects.

• Evidence of drug discovery project leadership.

• Experience as discipline lead in an integrated drug discovery project.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

• A dynamic and flexible approach towards achieving client-based objectives and demonstrable ability to deliver on multiple simultaneous projects with challenging deadlines.

• Specific experience of performance management.

• Experience within a CRO setting is desirable.