Senior Principal Scientist, Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics

Site Name: UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage

Posted Date: Mar 12 2026

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(Senior) Principal Scientist, Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics

The Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics (ETCT) Biology Unit within the Oncology Research Unit is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist to contribute to programs in pre-clinical and early clinical phases in the targeted biologics portfolio focusing on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T cell engagers (TCEs). The candidate will work within multi-disciplinary program teams by contributing to and leading biology strategy, delivering molecule mechanism of action and potency data and providing input into other functions such as pharmacokinetics, non-clinical safety, biomarkers and clinical development.

The successful applicant will have prior experience managing cross-functional biologics matrix teams with oversight of critical path biology in the preclinical development of novel biologics for cancer therapy, such as ADCs and TCEs.

In this role you will…

• Design and deliver basic and translational critical path biology work packages as matrix team leader to support pre-clinical and early clinical biologics programs.
• As biology lead, represent the ETCT Biology Unit within programme matrix teams and engage with stakeholders across the organization to deliver the biology strategy
• Work independently to design and execute impactful experiments which influence the direction of assets in the ETCT BU portfolio. Experiments include potency and mechanism of action studies to deliver decision-driving data for biologics programmes.
• Champion innovative experimental techniques/technologies internally and at CROs.
• Build communication networks across the Research organization.
• Train and mentor junior scientists and complementary workers.

• BSc. or higher degree in Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology or related fields with significant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry research and leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in cancer biology, good interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently.
• Experience in progressing cancer therapies from target  candidate selection and supporting critical path mechanistic biology with simple and complex disease models.
• Experience leading cross-functional drug discovery project teams to develop novel therapeutic platforms for biologics targets.
• Attention to detail and proficient reasoning skills in experimental design, data analysis, statistical methods and interpretation.
• Independence, problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, resourcefulness, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in cell culture, general lab instrumentation, cell-based assays such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, immunoassays such as ELISA and experience with Flow Cytometry.

• MS or PhD in Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology or related fields with demonstrated of post-doctoral training or pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry research and leadership experience.
• Experience with the design and testing of biologics.
• Direct and/or management experience for a range of biologists including biochemists, cellular/molecular biologists and cell-based assay developers and flow cytometry experts.
• Strong peer-reviewed publication, public speaking / presentation and/or inventorship record.