Job Introduction
Senior Disease Expert – Oncology
Location: UK or US preferred; hybrid or remote working considered
About Pharmaron
Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the UK, US, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.
We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers. To learn more, visit www.pharmaron.com
Pharmaron is looking to appoint a Senior Oncology Specialist to provide disease-area leadership across our Integrated Drug Discovery activities. The role will help project teams and clients convert oncology insight into practical discovery plans, with particular emphasis on biological rationale, model selection, translational endpoints and evidence packages that support clear programme decisions.
This position would suit an experienced oncology scientist or clinician-scientist who can combine deep disease knowledge with a pragmatic understanding of drug discovery. The successful candidate will work across Pharmaron’s global scientific network and with external partners to strengthen programme design, interpret complex datasets and identify opportunities to improve how oncology projects are progressed from early concept towards candidate selection and IND preparation.
Role Scope
• Act as the senior oncology voice within discovery programmes and across Pharmaron, enabling teams to define the disease context, therapeutic rationale and experiments needed to test key hypotheses.
• Shape project strategies so that early biology, pharmacology and translational plans are connected from the outset and remain aligned with the intended clinical opportunity.
• Advise on selection and use of oncology models, assay systems, pharmacodynamic readouts, biomarker development and translational endpoints that are appropriate for the mechanism and indication.
• Work with biology, DMPK, chemistry, computational science, toxicology and clinical colleagues to interpret programme data and recommend next steps.
• Help teams build decision-ready summaries that integrate efficacy, exposure, mechanism, biomarker and safety-relevant information.
• Provide senior input into client proposals, scientific discussions, project reviews and opportunity assessments where oncology expertise is required.
• Identify capability gaps or emerging scientific opportunities that could expand Pharmaron’s oncology offering and improve project delivery.
• Represent Pharmaron’s oncology expertise in client meetings, conference discussions and external scientific interactions[SL1.1][SL1.2][ST1.3].
• Coach and support project scientists by bringing broader disease-area perspective, constructive challenge and scientific judgement.
• Contribute to external scientific profile through appropriate publications, presentations, white papers or conference activity.
Experience We Are Looking For
• Advanced degree or equivalent senior expertise in oncology, cancer biology, translational science, pharmacology, medicine or a related discipline.
• Credibility as an oncology expert, able to be seen by Pharmaron clients as having the track record and expertise to drive the biology component of an oncology drug discovery programme.
• Substantial experience contributing to oncology discovery or early development programmes in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO or academic translational setting demonstrated through programme delivery, publications, patents, invited talks, external collaborations or recognised scientific contribution.
• Practical experience guiding programmes through target validation, hit-to-lead, lead optimisation, candidate nomination or early development transition.
• Breadth across oncology mechanisms, tumour types or therapeutic modalities, with the ability to apply disease knowledge to different client and project contexts.
• Strong awareness of how biomarkers, pharmacodynamic measures, model systems and patient-selection concepts can strengthen discovery decision-making.
• Experience supporting client-facing scientific work, proposal development, due diligence, portfolio review or partnership discussions.
• Comfort operating in a global matrix environment and influencing senior scientific, operational and commercial colleagues.
Scientific Strengths
• Deep understanding of oncology biology and the factors that determine whether a therapeutic hypothesis is likely to translate.
• Ability to design or challenge experimental logic across cellular systems, animal models, biomarker approaches and integrated project datasets.
• Confidence drawing conclusions from complex and incomplete evidence, while clearly communicating uncertainty, risk and recommended next steps.
• Working knowledge of the wider discovery ecosystem, including DMPK, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, computational biology and development planning.
• Clear and persuasive communication style for scientific, commercial and external audiences.
• Established professional network and willingness to represent Pharmaron externally as a senior oncology expert.
Personal Attributes
• Scientifically curious, rigorous and comfortable challenging programme assumptions constructively.
• A collaborative senior contributor who can bring clarity across multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Commercially aware, with an appreciation of how strong science supports client confidence and new opportunities.
• Pragmatic and delivery focused, able to balance scientific ambition with project timelines and decision points.
• Committed to mentoring others and raising the quality of oncology thinking across project teams.
Why This Role Matters
• Influence the design and progression of oncology discovery programmes across a broad client portfolio.
• Help build a stronger, more visible oncology capability within Pharmaron’s global discovery organisation.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams spanning discovery biology, translational pharmacology and preclinical development.
• Apply senior disease expertise to programmes with the potential to progress new cancer medicines towards the clinic.
Apply Now
We welcome applications from senior oncology experts who enjoy shaping programme strategy, supporting client-facing science and helping multidisciplinary teams make better discovery decisions.
Join Pharmaron and help shape the next generation of drug discovery.
Pharmaron is committed to creating an inclusive working environment and providing equal opportunities throughout the recruitment and employment process.
Package Highlights Include:
- Annual performance-related bonus.
- Pension scheme with employer contribution.
- Option for private medical insurance scheme.
- Life assurance and income protection benefits.
- Generous annual leave entitlement (with options to purchase additional days and transfer remaining days to following year*), plus public holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Professional membership support and continuous learning opportunities.
- Access to Pharmaron's global scientific network and career development pathways.
Collaborative Culture: Thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners and collaborators.
Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 25,000 employees and operations in the U.S., the U.K. and China. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.