Chief Technologist

Chief Technologist - Synthetic Therapeutics (Peptides & Oligonucleotides)

FTC until March 2028 | Glasgow |

£64,394 - £84,394 + £491 Monthly Car Allowance

About the Role:

We are seeking a Chief Technologist - Synthetic Therapeutics to provide strategic technical leadership across peptide and oligonucleotide technologies, helping shape future capability, support commercial growth, and drive innovation in one of the fastest-growing areas of advanced therapeutics.

This is a highly influential role for a recognised subject matter expert who combines deep scientific expertise with strong market awareness and commercial insight. You will help identify future opportunities, advise on technology strategy, engage with customers and partners, and support the development of capabilities that address emerging industry needs.

The successful candidate will act as a senior technical leader across both internal and external activities, supporting business development, customer engagement, technology strategy, and scientific delivery while helping build capability in peptides and oligonucleotides.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

Technical Leadership & Domain Expertise

Act as the recognised technical authority in peptide and/or oligonucleotide chemistry

Provide expert guidance across customer programmes, strategic initiatives, and capability development activities

Support scientists and technical teams with specialist knowledge and technical problem-solving

Ensure emerging scientific developments are translated into practical and commercially relevant applications

Technology Strategy & Capability Development

Shape future capability in synthetic therapeutics, identifying technology gaps, market opportunities, and investment priorities

Inform long-term technology strategy and help develop deliverable plans aligned to business objectives

Anticipate new developments within peptide and oligonucleotide technologies and assess their commercial relevance

Support the translation of advanced chemistry into scalable and commercially viable capabilities

Market Engagement & Business Development

Work closely with commercial and business development teams to identify and develop new opportunities

Engage directly with customers, industry partners, investors, and stakeholders to understand market needs

Support proposal development, bid activities, and customer-facing technical discussions

Contribute to technical and commercial assessments of new opportunities and partnerships

Capability Building & Mentorship

Mentor scientists and technical teams, helping build expertise across the organisation

Promote knowledge sharing and capability development across internal and external networks

Support the development of future scientific leaders and specialists

Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning

About You

You are a senior technical expert with deep knowledge of peptides, oligonucleotides, or synthetic therapeutic modalities, coupled with strong commercial awareness and an ability to influence strategic direction.

You'll bring:

Significant industrial experience within peptides and/or oligonucleotides

Strong expertise in areas such as:

Peptide synthesis, modification, and conjugation

Complex or constrained peptides

Peptide-drug conjugates

Oligonucleotide chemistry

Oligo conjugates

Modified backbones and delivery-enabled constructs

A proven track record of translating scientific knowledge into commercially relevant capabilities and opportunities

Strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and future industry trends

Excellent stakeholder management, networking, and influencing skills

Experience operating at a strategic level within pharmaceutical, biotech, CDMO, or advanced therapeutics environments Desirable (but not essential):

PhD or equivalent research background in peptide, oligonucleotide, or synthetic chemistry disciplines

Experience contributing to technology strategy and capability development

Existing industry network within peptides, oligonucleotides, or related therapeutic modalities

Knowledge of broader synthetic therapeutic approaches and emerging modalities

Membership of relevant professional bodies and active engagement with the wider scientific communityImportantly, this role is not focused on routine GMP manufacturing operations. The emphasis is on strategic technical leadership, market engagement, capability development, and helping define where future investment and technological growth should occur.

Why Join Us?

Influence the future direction of peptide and oligonucleotide technology development

Shape capability in a rapidly growing area of advanced therapeutics

Work with leading scientific, commercial, and industry stakeholders

Play a key role in identifying and developing future market opportunities

High-profile position with significant external engagement

Competitive package including salary up to £84,394 plus monthly car allowance

Location & Working Pattern

FTC until March 2028 (potential to extend)

Hybrid working available

Regular engagement with customers, partners, and external stakeholders

Travel to industry events, customer meetings, and scientific forums as required

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy