Director of Biology

Cambridge UK – Hybrid 3/4 days in the office

Job description

Functional area: Biology

Reports to: CSO

Travel required: 3-6 weeks of travel per year

CN Bio Innovations (CN Bio) is a modern life sciences company delivering human-focused research and discovery, enabled by a unique and proven Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) platform. We work at the interface of engineering and cell biology to develop human biomimetic platforms for the testing and development of therapeutics for serious human diseases. Our mission is to be the world’s leading provider of organ-on-a-chip solutions which accurately predict human responses to medicines.

Role Description

Lead the Biology team of around 20 team members to deliver innovative OOC solutions, drive R&D initiatives, and support commercial growth. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure products meet market and regulatory needs and represent CN Bio as a scientific and industry thought leader. Specifically, in this role you will:

• Work in partnership with the Product Development team, deliver the right OOC solutions (instruments, consumables, cells, assays and validation data) to the market.
• Engage with end-users and regulators to ensure CN Bio’s assay solutions are fit-for-purpose, appropriately validated and can be used to generate data for regulatory submissions for new drug development.
• Oversee CN Bio’s contract research team to deliver highly impactful scientific studies for clients.
• Contribute to the development of the overall technical roadmap, informed by CN Bio’s corporate and commercial strategy.

Specific Job Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Be one of senior leaders at CN Bio, guiding the overall strategy for the business as it grows and scales.
• Direct a multidisciplinary team, ensuring delivery of high-impact assay solutions.
• Foster professional growth and track development for all team members through structured processes.
• Oversee project planning, resource allocation, and timely, on-budget execution.
• Interface closely with the commercial team to ensure we are developing the right solutions with a strong commercial rationale and market need.

Scientific Excellence

• Set the vision and strategy for the biology team to deliver on the company goals, ensuring all technical activities deliver value for the business in both
  the short and long term.
• Own the biological assay portfolio, including model development, validation, and partner collaborations.
• Ensure rigorous data management and readiness for advanced analytics (AI/ML).
• Maintain a safe, efficient laboratory environment.
• Oversee the delivery of contract research projects that deliver significant value for clients in an operationally efficient manner.

External

• Build strategic relationships with clients, regulators, and partners, ensuring CN Bio presence in the marketplace is continually being enhanced.
• Lead scientific communications, including publications, digital content and conference presentations.
• Identify potential novel technology, approaches or supply partners and integrate them into business activities to drive growth.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD (or equivalent) in cell biology, pharmacology, bioengineering or equivalent and extensive experience working in biotechnology, biomedical or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in leading substantial biology research teams within biotech, pharma, or CRO environments.
• Exceptional leadership qualities and experience leading broad and diverse teams to achieve significant outcomes and overcome challenges.
• Strong expertise in cell biology, immunology, tissue engineering, or organ-on-chip technologies.
• Significant commercial scientific experience – ideally in start-up or scale-up environments, understanding the challenges of balancing cutting-edge R&D with commercial and operational growth.
• Demonstrated experience managing client-facing research services and delivering complex projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of influencing senior external stakeholders (potential customers, investors, etc) on behalf of the company
• Transformational technical and project leadership with experience of managing a portfolio of projects. Accountability for delivery and budget, with a good understanding of risk and issue management.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills – able to coach and mentor others.
• Self-motivated, reliable, open-minded and enthusiastic. With flexibility to be able to respond in a fast-evolving organisation.

The Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension with Standard Life
• Private Healthcare with AXA
• Cashback for Dental and Optical Care
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Recruitment referral scheme (£500)
• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance

What’s Next?

We will review your application and whilst we would love to get back to every applicant, it is not always possible. If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please note that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Please note applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the role. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.