Principal scientist - cardiac electrophysiology & translational ion channels

Are you the scientific leader who can bridge cutting-edge cardiac models with real-world drug discovery decisions? Have you built electrophysiology strategies, led multidisciplinary teams, and remained close enough to the science to stay credible at the bench? Can you translate complex cardiac safety and ion channel data into clear programme direction for clients and stakeholders? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We are seeking an exceptional scientific leader to drive and shape our cardiac electrophysiology and translational ion channel strategy. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced electrophysiologist to combine strategic leadership with scientific innovation, leading multiple drug discovery programmes while maintaining a meaningful presence in the laboratory. You'll be recognised internally and externally as a subject matter expert in cardiac electrophysiology, helping clients solve complex translational challenges through the application of advanced in vitro and ex vivo models, automated electrophysiology platforms, and stem cell-derived cardiac systems.

The Opportunity

You will provide scientific and strategic leadership across our translational cardiac electrophysiology capability. Working closely with clients, senior leaders, and multidisciplinary project teams, you will lead programmes from target validation through translational assessment, ensuring delivery of high-quality data that informs critical drug discovery decisions. You'll play a key role in expanding our cardiac electrophysiology offering, driving innovation, mentoring scientists, and helping shape the future direction of the department.

What You'll Be Doing

Scientific Leadership

• Lead and execute the scientific strategy for cardiac electrophysiology and translational ion channel research.
• Act as the scientific lead across multiple integrated drug discovery programmes.
• Interpret and integrate in vitro, ex vivo and translational data to guide project progression.
• Drive innovation in cardiac safety and translational biology approaches.
• Maintain awareness of emerging scientific advances and implement new technologies where appropriate.
• Provide leadership and oversight for electrophysiology platforms including Qube and MEA systems.

Laboratory & Technical Expertise

• Support and guide experimental design, execution and data interpretation.
• Lead studies using hIPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and translational cardiac models.
• Provide scientific direction across ion channel pharmacology programmes.
• Ensure high-quality data generation aligned to client and programme objectives.
• Contribute specialist expertise in cardiac safety assessment and translational electrophysiology.

Project & Client Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams across varying scientific disciplines.
• Act as the primary scientific contact for clients.
• Present project updates, data packages, and strategic recommendations.
• Create and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Identify and resolve scientific and operational challenges to ensure successful delivery.

People Leadership

• Mentor, develop, and inspire scientists across the department.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Support recruitment activities and participate in interview panels.
• Act as a role model for scientific leadership and professional development.

What We're Looking For

• PhD in Biological Sciences, Pharmacology, Physiology, Cardiovascular Science, Biochemistry or related discipline.
• Significant industrial drug discovery experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
• Cardiac electrophysiology
• Cardiac safety pharmacology.
• Translational cardiovascular biology.
• Ion channel pharmacology.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams and programmes.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Hands-on experience with:
• Automated patch clamp platforms (Qube/Sophion preferred)
• MEA technologies
• hIPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
• Translational cardiac models
• Experience translating complex scientific data into strategic programme recommendations.

Desirable

• Experience within a CRO environment.
• Manual patch clamp expertise.
• Experience across a broad range of ion channel targets.
• Significant publication record.
• Experience leading scientific strategy across multiple sites or business units.

Why Join Us?

A generous and comprehensive corporate benefits package and bonus.... Shape the future direction of a growing cardiac electrophysiology capability. Influence key drug discovery decisions across diverse client programmes Combine scientific leadership with hands-on laboratory involvement. Work at the forefront of translational cardiovascular science. Collaborate with industry-leading experts across discovery biology and pharmacology. Play a visible role in business growth, innovation and scientific excellence.

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com IQVIA is committed to integrity in our hiring process and maintains a zero tolerance policy for candidate fraud. All information and credentials submitted in your application must be truthful and complete. Any false statements, misrepresentations, or material omissions during the recruitment process will result in immediate disqualification of your application, or termination of employment if discovered later, in accordance with applicable law. We appreciate your honesty and professionalism.