General role description
Chief Scientific Officers (CSOs) lead the scientific and research direction of an organisation, overseeing all research and development (R&D) initiatives to ensure they are innovative, rigorous, and aligned with business objectives. In Contract Research Organisations (CROs), CSOs are responsible for ensuring the scientific quality and strategic value of client-sponsored research, while in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, they guide in-house discovery and development pipelines.
This role suits experienced scientific leaders with strong commercial awareness, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to influence both internal teams and external partners.
Key responsibilities
- Design and lead the company’s overall scientific and research and development (R&D) strategy
- Oversee scientific teams and ensure research is conducted ethically and in line with regulatory standards
- Guide the development of new scientific capabilities, services, or products aligned with business goals and client needs
- Manage relationships with clients, academic partners, and research institutions to support collaborative programmes and business development
- Drive the generation and protection of intellectual property, including patents where relevant
- Represent the company at scientific and industry conferences, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications
- Provide high-level scientific input on project proposals, regulatory submissions, and quality systems
- Mentor senior scientific staff and foster a culture of innovation and accountability across R&D teams