Director - Translational Pharmacology (IDD)

Job Introduction

Director – Translational Pharmacology (IDD)

Location: UK (Hybrid)

Pharmaron is seeking a Director – Translational Pharmacology to lead and build our disease and quantitative translational pharmacology strategy across Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD).

This is a pivotal leadership role, combining deep scientific expertise, strategic influence, and client engagement to drive integrated programmes from target identification through to IND.

The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding through to IND filing. Working closely with our partners we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and with an AI enabled accelerated Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycles support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.

The Role

• Define and lead Pharmaron’s translational pharmacology and disease strategy across therapeutic areas and modalities
• Provide expert leadership in disease biology, translational science and quantitative pharmacology
• Bridge preclinical and clinical understanding, linking disease mechanisms to robust experimental models
• Drive data integration across in vitro, in vivo and PK/PD datasets to enable confident Go/No-Go decisions
• Lead the development of biomarker strategies, assay systems and translational approaches
• Ensure delivery of high-quality preclinical data packages to support candidate progression
• Guide data-driven decision making across multidisciplinary project teams
• Collaborate with global teams and client partners to align strategy and accelerate delivery
• Present programme strategy and outcomes to senior stakeholders and external partners
• Contribute to new business proposals, capability development and scientific innovation

About You

• PhD in Pharmacology, Biological Sciences or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Significant experience within leading drug discovery organisations (Pharma, Biotech or CRO)
• Proven leadership in translational pharmacology and disease modelling through to candidate nomination
• Strong track record of publications, patents or scientific presentations
• Experience working across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and lead complex programmes

Key Skills & Expertise

• Deep expertise in translational pharmacology, disease biology and quantitative data analysis
• Strong understanding of preclinical models, PK/PD relationships and clinical translation
• Experience developing assay cascades, biomarkers and mechanistic studies
• Broad knowledge of drug discovery disciplines (DMPK, toxicology, medicinal chemistry)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate science into clinical impact
• Strong leadership presence with exceptional decision-making capability
• Collaborative across global, matrixed environments
• Adaptable and responsive to emerging data and shifting priorities
• Passionate about innovation, scientific excellence and continuous learning

Why Join Pharmaron?

• Shape and lead translational pharmacology strategy within a global CRO
• Work on cutting-edge, multi-modality discovery programmes
• Collaborate with world-class scientific teams and partners
• Play a key role in advancing next-generation therapies to the clinic

If you're ready to take a leadership role in advancing next-generation therapeutics, we’d love to hear from you.