Translational Scientist

Translational Scientist 

Reports to: Head of Translational Science

This is a full-time, or minimum 4 day a week, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking to appoint a translational scientist who will drive translational science projects. Working in close collaboration with our scientists they will develop projects to the point where they are attractive to seed investment, can successfully attract grant funding, or progress with industry or clinical partners. This is a great opportunity for the role-holder to have a clear outlet for their scientific passion and for driving the application of biomedical science to improve human health.

This is a senior role within Translation with responsibility for independently delivering high quality scientific insight when supporting researchers in relation to building translational science projects that have the potential for patient impact.

The role will involve catalysing early stage innovations, bridging the gap between fundamental research and the practical application of the science, with a view to accelerating the translational science programme at the Crick.

There will be an important role in extending the Crick’s external collaborative relationships to expedite projects, including with industry, CROs or academic partnerships.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Identifying and catalysing early-stage innovations, advancing ideas and developing projects to a point where they become attractive for follow on investment, or development by industry.  
• Advising Group Leaders on the best way that they can progress their translational science projects to deliver impact
• Determine and execute strategic plans for translational science projects.
• Leading translational projects emerging from Crick science, working closely with Crick Group Leaders to build multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure the delivery of project milestones and effective project decision-making, providing quality scientific expertise on how to structure and progress translational projects.
• Establishing and maintaining links with relevant researchers and other academic institutions
• Building external collaborative relationships to expedite projects, including with industry and CROs
• Writing proposals and presentations to secure external funding for projects.
• Working with external partners to deliver impact from projects, including building and managing good collaborative relationships with industry, contract research organisations and clinical partners.
• Influence the developing culture of translatable science across the institute through contributions to the training programme.

Key role relationships

This role will report to the Head of Translational Science and work closely with all members of the Translation team.

This role will require building strong working relationships with Group Leaders, Heads of Science and Technology Platforms (STPs), and the wider Crick scientific community to help shape ideas, develop and scale translational science projects.

As well as working closely with colleagues within the Translation team, some of the key relationships will include:

• Research Directors
• Chair of the Translation Advisory Group
• Colleagues within other Crick functions, including legal, grants and scientific operations teams; Entrepreneurs in residence.

ABOUT US

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.

The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a brand-new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under a single roof in Europe.

The Francis Crick Institute will be world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; to developing emerging talent and exporting it the rest of the UK; to public engagement; and to helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy.

Key experience and competencies

Candidates will possess both scientific acumen and credibility in translational science and skills in leadership, collaboration and influence.  It will also require an ambitious, innovative and pragmatic approach to grow translational science within the exciting multidisciplinary environment of the Francis Crick biomedical research institute.

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open and Collegial.

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Comprehensive scientific acumen in translational science, including a proven track record in delivering successful, high-quality outcomes in translational science and innovation in a commercial setting
• A thorough understanding of the key experiments that enable translation and a keen eye for the prioritisation and evaluation of translational science programmes
• Direct experience within the biopharma industry is required, ideally including diverse experience across the R&D lifecycle
• PhD in a biological science
• Experience in at least some of the following areas: (i) therapeutic target validation, including evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches e.g. gene and cell therapy, nucleic acid therapies (ii) biomarker discovery and evaluation (iii) experimental medicine studies.
• Experience of working in Neuroscience or Oncology therapeutic areas would be desirable.
• Have the ability to quickly grasp new scientific concepts and technologies and to identify where there may be translational potential and how this could be realized and can demonstrate extensive experience of this.
• Strong industry network
• Experience/skills in industry-academia partnering and/or IP. would be desirable.
• Be able to communicate efficiently and credibly, both verbally and in writing, with a range of stakeholders, including scientists, industry and with colleagues. In addition, have the ability to influence and constructively challenge key individuals within the organisation and across the scientific community at all levels.
• Be able to work independently and proactively but also as part of teams where there may be multiple expectations and drivers.
• Excellent consensus building skills, exhibiting the ability to influence at all levels and work effectively as part of a team, encouraging a collaborative approach.
• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

We are seeking candidates who can make a significant contribution and who have the skills and desire to progress within the Crick.