Head of the Preclinical Evaluation Module (PEM)

The Czech Centre for Phenogenomics is a large research infrastructure of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences that supports biomedical and translational research through advanced disease-model generation, phenotyping, preclinical testing, and integrated analytical services. CCP provides academic and industrial users with expert support across the full pipeline from model design and biological characterization to treatment evaluation and interpretation of complex experimental outcomes.

CCP is now seeking a senior scientist and experienced scientific leader to head the Preclinical Evaluation Module (PEM). PEM is being developed as CCP’s dedicated module for integrated preclinical evaluation, bringing together specialist expertise in metabolomics, immunology, biochemistry and haematology, and histopathology, together with advanced study coordination and quality-management capacity for demanding research and contract studies, including projects for industrial and pharmaceutical partners. PEM interact also with other CCP modules, especially with the Phenotyping,  Data Science Module, and others to provide comprehensive range of preclinical testing.

The role

The Head of PEM will lead the scientific, strategic, and operational development of a module designed to translate samples, measurements, and experimental endpoints into biologically meaningful and decision-relevant evidence. PEM is intended to serve as CCP’s integrative evaluation platform for efficacy, safety, mechanism-of-action, biomarker, and pathology-oriented studies across a broad range of disease areas and intervention types.

As a Module Head within CCP’s organisation, the successful candidate will operate at the level of an independent Principal Investigator (PI) and will be responsible for the module’s scientific direction, service portfolio, outputs, quality standards, reporting, staff coordination, and day-to-day development. The role will also include building a PEM structure capable of handling both advanced collaborative academic studies and the most demanding preclinical projects performed in GLP-like or, where relevant, GLP-compatible quality frameworks.

Key responsibilities

• Define the scientific vision and long-term development plan for PEM as CCP’s integrated platform for preclinical and ex vivo evaluation
• Lead the coordination and further development of the module’s specialist units, including Metabolomics, Immunology, Biochemistry and Haematology, and Histopathology
• Build PEM as a coherent framework for interpretation of samples and biological endpoints across preclinical, translational, and therapeutic studies
• Establish and supervise workflows that connect tissue-level, cellular, molecular, metabolic, and blood-based analyses into robust study outputs
• Oversee the development of a structured preclinical-studies function within PEM, including dedicated leadership for study planning, conduct, evaluation, and reporting
• Ensure the implementation of strong quality-management processes, including support for highly standardised and demanding studies, collaboration with quality assurance, and preparedness for projects requiring GLP-like or closely related quality standards
• Strengthen PEM’s capacity to work with external users, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, by ensuring professional project coordination, scientifically sound outputs, and reliable reporting
• Collaborate closely with other CCP modules to support integrated workflows spanning disease-model generation, phenotyping, NAMs, infectious-disease research, large-animal studies, and data science
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate PEM staff, and ensure effective planning of resources, priorities, workflows, and quality systems across the module
• Contribute to strategic planning, grant preparation, assay development, validation, service expansion, and external partnerships at CCP level
• Represent PEM in scientific collaborations and in interactions with users, clients, and infrastructure or regulatory-facing partners, where appropriate

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished scientist with broad experience in translational biomedical research and preclinical evaluation, and with the intellectual range to connect different analytical and biological disciplines into one functional module. This may include expertise in pathology, pharmacology, immunology, metabolism, toxicology, biomarker research, or other areas relevant to preclinical assessment.

This role is particularly suitable for a person who is comfortable operating at the interface of science, study design, infrastructure services, and client-oriented project execution. Beyond scientific credibility, the successful candidate should bring leadership maturity, organisational confidence, and the ability to shape PEM into a trusted platform for both internal CCP projects and external collaborations, including projects with industry.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, immunology, pathology, toxicology, biochemistry, metabolism, veterinary medicine, medicine, or a related discipline
• Proven experience in preclinical research, translational research, therapeutic evaluation, experimental pathology, or a comparable field
• Strong expertise in at least one PEM-relevant area such as immunology, metabolomics, clinical chemistry, haematology, histopathology, biomarker research, pharmacology, or toxicology
• Ability to interpret and integrate data from multiple biological and analytical readouts
• Experience in leading or coordinating a multidisciplinary team, laboratory unit, core facility, or scientific service platform
• Good understanding of study planning, study conduct, documentation, and reporting in a preclinical environment
• Familiarity with quality systems, SOP-based work, QA interaction, and GLP or GLP-like frameworks will be a strong advantage
• Experience in communication with external users, sponsors, or industrial partners is highly desirable
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Ability to initiate new methods, support assay validation, contribute to grant applications, and help build a high-quality service and research environment

PEM structure

The PEM is expected to include not only specialist analytical units but also dedicated functions supporting high-level study execution and quality assurance. These are expected to include a Head of Preclinical Studies (or equivalent study-lead role) responsible for coordination of complex studies, as well as a Quality Manager / GLP specialist supporting quality systems, QA interaction, documentation standards, and readiness for the most demanding client-facing projects.

We offer

• A senior scientific leadership role in a nationally and internationally recognised research infrastructure
• The opportunity to shape a strategically important module integrating several complementary expert units into one coherent preclinical evaluation platform
• Access to CCP’s broad experimental ecosystem, including genetically engineered models, disease models, phenotyping, imaging, infectious-disease studies, NAMs, and advanced data-science support
• A collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary working environment on the BIOCEV campus near Prague
• Opportunity to build academically strong and industry-relevant preclinical services with high scientific and operational standards
• Support for professional growth, scientific development, and participation in national and international collaborations
• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, together with a comprehensive employee benefits package

Contract and start date

This is a long-term position. The initial appointment will be for one year and may be extended based on mutual agreement and successful performance, with the possibility of an indefinite appointment after subsequent extensions, in accordance with Czech labour legislation.

The expected start date is by agreement.

Selection procedure

Eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee in accordance with the recruitment procedures of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Candidates selected for the next stage will be invited to an in-person interview.

How to apply

Applicants are invited to submit:

• A cover letter explaining their interest in leading the Preclinical Evaluation Module and outlining how their experience fits the role
• A structured curriculum vitae
• A brief statement outlining their vision for the scientific and strategic development of PEM over the next three to five years, including how its specialist units and study-quality functions should be integrated
• Contact details for two or three references

Applications should be submitted electronically to Jana Šafránková at jana.safrankova@img.cas.cz by 15 November 2026.

For informal enquiries about the position, applicants may use the same contact email address.

For more information about CCP, please visit www.phenogenomics.cz.