At Charles River, we are passionate about improving the quality of people’s lives. When you join our global family, you will help create healthier lives for millions of patients and their families.
Charles River employees are innovative thinkers, who are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. We will empower you with the resources you need to grow and develop in your career.
As a Charles River employee, you will be part of an industry-leading, customer-focused company at the forefront of drug development. Your skills will play a key role in bringing life-saving therapies to market faster through simpler, quicker, and more digitalized processes. Whether you are in lab operations, finance, IT, sales, or another area, when you work at Charles River, you will be the difference every day for patients across the globe.
Job Summary
Do you have significant expertise in Toxicology and Pathology, and a passion for line management and leadership?
Would you like to apply your expertise to lead and direct a multi-disciplinary function, forming and implementing innovative strategy effectively?
Have you got the desire to improve health and lives?
Charles River Laboratories are excited to be recruiting for a Senior Director of Toxicology and Pathology for our Safety Assessment site in Tranent, Edinburgh on a full time, permanent basis reporting to the site’s General Manager.
The Senior Director of Toxicology and Pathology will be site based and you will join as a key part of the Site Leadership Team of the overall Edinburgh site. With experienced managers reporting directly to you, you will lead a team of over 70 toxicology and pathology professionals working across the disciplines of toxicology and pathology, including General Toxicology studies, Safety Pharmacology, Inhalation, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology and In Vitro Toxicology, all who are responsible for the study management and reporting of safety assessment studies for Charles River.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly experienced toxicologist or pathologist looking for their next step in management and to lead the development and implementation of the strategic and tactical plan for this division.
About the opportunity:
As an expert in this field, you will utilise a deep understanding of highly regulated safety assessment studies within the pharmaceutical industry to anticipate, shape and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders to deliver a successful outcome for all parties.
Other Responsibilities:
• You will set the scientific direction and standards of the division. This will include meeting with clients, representing the company at scientific meetings or on industry working parties, liaising with your peers at other global Charles River sites.
• Your experience and scientific knowledge will bring an independence of thought that will allow you to suggest fresh approaches and improvements both at the Edinburgh facility and in association with global colleagues.
• To act as the Edinburgh Leadership Team representative for Toxicology and Pathology and be line manager for the Directors and other managers in the Toxicology and Pathology Groups. This will involve working closely with them to review recruitment, expenditure proposals, to approve sales plans, expense claims etc.
• To liaise with the Edinburgh Senior Leadership Team to ensure consistent decision-making and co-ordinate activities across the Edinburgh site.
• Responsible for testing facility management duties as delegated by the General Manager regarding Edinburgh toxicology and pathology operations.
• To ensure that all sales and marketing activity for the Toxicology and Pathology Groups are planned and implemented and that this is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is consistent with divisional and corporate objectives.
• To assist the General Manager and Finance Director to review and decide with department managers on realistic yet challenging budgets for the Toxicology Group departments and monitor performance against target.
• To ensure the conduct and completion of studies in the Toxicology and Pathology Groups to a high-quality standard, by the application of sound scientific method and proper control procedures.
• To achieve effective use of staff and resources within the Toxicology and Pathology Groups and to ensure staff are well motivated, work efficiently, obtain job satisfaction and produce high quality work. Also to ensure that Customer Care is given top priority in the services provided.
• To prepare long range plans for Toxicology and Pathology Groups and to determine future areas of activity for the Toxicology and Pathology Groups.
• To strive to maintain constructive relationships between the departments in the Toxicology and Pathology Groups and other related departments and Divisions within Safety Assessment.
• As a member of the Leadership Team, you will have an important role in the overall management of the site, ensuring its ongoing and future success.
What We Offer You:
• A very comprehensive benefits package from day one, including a competitive pension contribution, private medical for you (and can add family members), bonus and more!
• Global opportunities and strong career progression.
• The chance to work on several varied projects and liaise globally and nationally with other business areas.
• To be able make a difference to health and wellbeing of people.
• To continue your own career growth.
• Life Assurance.
• Well-being support and initiatives.
Profile and Requirements
About you:
You will be a graduate most likely with a higher degree, a relevant qualification in toxicology or pathology is highly desirable. You will have shown your commitment to personal professional development. Professional memberships, certification and qualification in relevant topics in toxicology, pathology and/or management are highly desired.
Already highly experienced in regulatory safety assessment, you will have a wide knowledge of the pharmaceutical and/or agrochemical industry sectors that will enable you understand the customers’ needs and a track record demonstrating the ability to influence others to deliver excellent execution.
Skills and Experience:
• Educated to a higher degree within a relevant discipline area (toxicology or pathology)
• Significant industrial experience working on safety assessment studies from a toxicology or pathology perspective is essential, additional CRO/Biotech experience is preferred.
• Demonstrable line management experience, particularly within a matrix function across different scientific disciplines. Additional experience of managing managers is also essential to this role.
• Proven business and commercial acumen, with forward facing experience liaising and networking with clients and other key stakeholders required.
About Safety Assessment
Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.
At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to the principle of diversity and inclusion and work daily in this direction.
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.
Helping you find your moment
You take great care and effort when you apply for a job with us. Rest assured that we’ll be just as diligent in finding the role that’s right for you. Here’s how our hiring process works:
Job Search
Learn about CRL, our culture, and why we do the work we do while also searching for roles that match your interests and expertise.
Application
Create a profile and apply to as many roles as you have an interest.
Note: Depending on the role, you may be required to include a resume in your application.
Assessment and application review
Complete assessments, if requested, to determine whether the role is likely to be a good fit for you – and vice versa. The recruiter will review your resume and qualifications against the requirements of the role and will determine next steps.
Note: At any point in the process, you can log into your profile to review the status of your application.
Interview
Engage in our interview process by meeting with a group of interviewers who will provide information on the company, culture, and your role while also asking you questions to assess your skills, interests, and expertise. This is also a great time for you to ask questions and better understand how we foster a sense of belonging at Charles River.
Note: Charles River leverages technical and behavioral-based interview questions based on our DNA (Care, Lead, Own, and Collaborate). Please familiarize yourself with the DNA and be prepared to relate your experiences to them.
Job offer and onboarding
Receive a competitive offer either by phone or email from a Charles River recruiter or hiring manager. The offer will include your title, salary, location, and other relevant information.
Note: Upon acceptance, you will work with your recruiter to confirm a start date and will receive paperwork to electronically complete prior to your start. For US-based roles, upon your acceptance, you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screen and pass a criminal background check.
Job Search
Learn about CRL, our culture, and why we do the work we do while also searching for roles that match your interests and expertise.
Application
Create a profile and apply to as many roles as you have an interest. Note: Depending on the role, you may be required to include a resume in your application.
Assessment and Application Review
Complete assessments, if requested, to determine whether the role is likely to be a good fit for you – and vice versa. The recruiter will review your resume and qualifications against the requirements of the role and will determine next steps.
Note: At any point in the process, you can log into your profile to review the status of your application.
Interview
Engage in our interview process by meeting with a group of interviewers who will provide information on the company, culture, and your role while also asking you questions to assess your skills, interests, and expertise. This is also a great time for you to ask questions and better understand how we foster a sense of belonging at Charles River. Note: Charles River leverages technical and behavioral-based interview questions based on our DNA (Care, Lead, Own, and Collaborate). Please familiarize yourself with the DNA and be prepared to relate your experiences to them.
Job offer and onboarding
Receive a competitive offer either by phone or email from a Charles River recruiter or hiring manager. The offer will include your title, salary, location, and other relevant information. Note: Upon acceptance, you will work with your recruiter to confirm a start date and will receive paperwork to electronically complete prior to your start. For US-based roles, upon your acceptance, you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screen and pass a criminal background check.
Featured jobs
Important things are happening every moment at Charles River. This means exciting new career opportunities for you to explore. Take a look and apply today!
Looking for something else? Search all jobs.
Moment by moment
At Charles River, you’ll be able to contribute to incredible breakthroughs while experiencing exciting opportunities for growth and development.
-
UX/UI Designer
Advocate for user-centered design solutions. Create distinctive, consistent, branded digital experiences across multiple platforms, devices, and channels.
-
Sr. UX/UI Designer
Define and drive UX/UI strategies and interaction designs – from scratch and for scale – that solve business and user problems.
-
Associate Director
Work with Sr. UX/IX Designers and developers to assess problems and develop solutions. Execute on plan by building coding standardisations and automating processes.
-
Director, Digital Data Enablement
Lead UX management and operational teams across business units and technical teams. Identify and define fit-for-purpose strategies to integrate best practices.
-
Sr. Director UX/UI Design
Mentor, coach, and guide designer teams on design strategy related to research insights, execution, continuous integration, and automated deployment.
-
-
Animal Care Technician I-IV
Maintain the well-being of our animals by providing food, water, and a clean environment.
-
Animal Care Technologist I-IV
Provide specialised care to maintain and monitor our animal's health and physical environment.
-
Veterinary Technician
Help monitor, document, and triage all laboratory animal health cases.
-
Team Leader / Supervisor
Supervise, train, mobilise, empower, and develop a high-performing team.
-
Research Associate
Coordinate and plan activities according to study plan guidelines.
-
-
Intern Level I
Support process/procedure improvement based on site and department needs. Gain knowledge of our corporate environment to navigate cross-functional department collaboration.
-
Intern Level II
Complete comprehensive departmental projects incorporating mentorship of Level I interns as a professional development component.
-
Biomanufacturing Technician I-III
Oversee the production, formulation, and banking of cellular products while maintaining compliance with GMP, GDP, and aseptic guidelines.
-
Biomanufacturing Lead / Specialist
Maintain in-depth knowledge of specialised equipment to address questions as a Subject Matter Expert for the required equipment.
-
-
Clinical Veterinarian I-III
Responsible for delivering professional veterinary services and helping to manage all phases of health care for the animal colony.
-
Senior Clinical Veterinarian
Utlise knowledge of laboratory animal medicine to optimise the scientific objectives of animal research protocols.
-
Principal Veterinarian / Associate Director
Conduct veterinary consultations, make treatment recommendations, communicate with study directors, and follow cases through to resolution.
-
Director, Laboratory Animal Medicine
Provide technical and professional oversight of all animal care and use functions involving site laboratory animals.
-
-
Technician I-III
Follow SOP and protocols in the areas of animal handling, husbandry, and blood/urine collection.
-
Technician IV-V
Handle advanced technician duties, including anesthesia, leadership and specialised sample collections.
-
Project Leader (Scientific)
Serve as a scientific expert for the Lab with responsibility for staff-conducted studies.
-
Team Leader (People Leader)
Oversee team activities and gain leadership skills on the path to becoming a Team Supervisor.
-
Team Supervisor (People Leader)
Responsible for overall employee supervision, staff development, and team success.
-
-
Financial Analyst
Help analyse financial data, extract/define relevant information, and interpret data.
-
Financial Analyst II
Responsible for analysis, forecasting, budgeting, accounting administration, and reporting of projects.
-
Senior Financial Analyst
Handle weekly and monthly forecasting and annual budget preparation. Prepare financials and key indicators for business reviews.
-
Manager, Business Finance
Partner with operating businesses to raise standards in key decision areas. Present a dynamic industry, competitor, and economic context.
-
Finance Director, Operation
Support all business aspects, working with site teams to direct weekly/monthly forecasting and annual budget preparation.
-
-
Biomanufacturing Technician I
Support the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing).
-
Biomanufacturing Technician II
Perform specialised activities in the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing). Train Biomanufacturing Technician 1.
-
Biomanufacturing Technician III
Help advance the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing) while interacting with clients.
-
Biomanufacturing Lead / Specialist
Maintain in-depth knowledge of specialised equipment to address questions as a Subject Matter Expert for the required equipment.
-
Biomanufacturing Supervisor
Oversee biomanufacturing personnel, ensuring compliance with cGMP’s, CRL quality systems, and process documents in biomanufacturing.
-
Biomanufacturing Manager
Lead biomanufacturing activities in the start-up and cGMP production of novel cellular products. Schedule and manage staff, ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.
-
-
Client Manager
Ensures high-quality customer service through multi-site coordination. Deliver timely, accurate, and comprehensive responses to sponsor requests.
-
Business Development Director
Deliver profitable sales growth by targeting and visiting clients to build strong relationships and customer loyalty.
-
Senior Business Development Director
Plan and execute a territory-based field sales strategy. Drive growth through targeted long- and short-term account plans.
-
Regional Sales Manager
Manage sales team within North America's Safety Assessment sales region to achieve sales and profit goals.
-
-
Director
Partner with site leadership to achieve performance goals, develop staff, and deliver succession planning.
-
Senior Director / General Manager
Lead a multi-functional team to ensure integrated operations. Collaborate with senior leadership to form plans, objectives, and policies.
-
Executive Director
Lead a global, mutidisciplinary team. Develop short and long-term strategic plans tp maximise growth and profitability.
-
Corporate Vice President
Provide leadership, direction, and advice to leadership and finance teams. Accountable for financial planning, directing, and controlling.
-
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.
Supporting your well-being
Your dedication and passion make a life-saving difference in lives around the world. We’re committed to providing you with benefits that elevate your quality of life.
Financial
- Earnings + incentives
- Retirement benefits
- Holidays + time away
- Recognition
- Employee Assistance
Career
- Professional development opportunities
- Career development
- Awards
- Educational support
Health & wellness provision
- Employee well-being support
- Family Support Assistance
- Parental benefits + family formation benefits
- Work-life balance flexibility
Social and Community
- Culture of inclusion
- 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) with >3,000 members
- Opportunities for paid volunteer time off
- Community outreach + matching gift + engagement activities
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.