Senior Scientist - In vivo

This is a fully outsourced-delivery role: you won't be running studies at the bench yourself, but you'll be the scientific backbone that keeps every externally run study scientifically sound, on track and well documented.

• Work with internal project leads and scientists to understand the underlying biological question, study objectives, key readouts and intended decision-making value of each study
• Translate agreed study concepts into clear, executable CRO study plans covering model set-up, groups and controls, dosing, endpoints, sampling, tissue allocation, downstream readouts and timelines
• Critically review CRO proposals, protocols and amendments for scientific coherence, practical feasibility and alignment with the agreed study objective; challenge ambiguities or inconsistencies and escalate changes that could affect interpretation

Own day-to-day delivery of externally commissioned in vivo studies

• Act as the primary day-to-day scientific contact for CRO partners conducting in vivo studies on Aerska's behalf
• Support study scoping, vendor evaluation and selection, quotations/SOWs and protocol finalisation, then coordinate kick-off, test-article and sample logistics, in-life communication, terminal collections, data transfer and reporting
• Manage multiple concurrent studies, dependencies, timelines and deliverables; resolve operational issues where possible and flag material scientific, logistical or schedule risks early

Monitor study execution, quality and data

• Review CRO study updates, amendments, deviations, sampling plans and practical constraints throughout execution, checking them against the protocol and scientific objective
• Review interim and final data for completeness, protocol consistency, data quality and biological plausibility; identify discrepancies and work with internal and CRO scientists to determine whether issues are technical, executional or biological.
• Communicate concise study status, results, deviations, risks and unresolved issues to the in vivo pharmacology lead, project leads and senior stakeholders, escalating promptly when scientific interpretation or programme-level decisions are required

Maintain rigorous study documentation and ways of working

• Maintain complete, accurate and traceable study records, including ELN entries, protocols and amendments, study schedules, material and sample logistics, key decisions and communications, data packages, QC reviews and final reports
• Ensure outsourced studies are delivered to high standards of scientific rigour, animal welfare, data integrity and applicable regulatory requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve CRO ways of working, study execution, operational efficiency and data quality across the in vivo portfolio 

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in pharmacology, physiology, biology or a related life sciences discipline, with significant relevant experience in in vivo pharmacology, translational research or preclinical drug discovery.
• Hands-on experience with in vivo study design (models, dosing, endpoints, sampling strategy) and direct bench experience is valuable even though this role is CRO-facing.
• Background or experience in neuroscience is a plus.
• Prior experience managing or closely interfacing with CRO partners on outsourced in vivo studies is a strong plus
• Sound understanding of animal welfare standards (3Rs) and relevant expectations for preclinical work
• Comfortable critically reviewing protocols, data and reports, and confident pushing back on CROs when something doesn't hold up scientifically
• Strong organisational skills, able to juggle multiple concurrent studies, timelines and stakeholders without losing sight of scientific detail
• Clear, concise written and verbal communicator, able to flag risk and translate technical detail for both scientific and senior non-specialist audiences
• Experience with ELN systems and structured study documentation

• Walk on Air: Pursue bold ideas with ambition to solve meaningful problems that create real impact
• Time is Neurons: Every moment counts for patients – act with urgency and care, making data-driven decisions without compromise. 
• Win or Learn: Embrace curiosity, adapt quickly and continuously improve