Scientific Director (Switzerland or remote from the UK)

About GARDP: GARDP is a not-for-profit organization focused on developing and delivering new or improved antibiotic treatments, ensuring sustainable access globally. Aligned with the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, GARDP collaborates with public and private sectors to encourage research and development of new antibiotic treatments.

Job Purpose: The Scientific Director at GARDP is a key scientific leadership role within our R&D team. Reporting to the GARDP R&D Director, this position provides strategic scientific and in particular microbiology expertise and guidance across our portfolio.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

Transversal Microbiology Leadership:

• Provide strategic microbiology advice to research, development, and access projects.
• Lead microbiological evaluation of discovery, clinical and access candidates, emphasizing discovery research.
• Evaluate technologies for the future evolution of the GARDP portfolio.

Scientific Affairs:

• Establish external scientific thought leadership relevant to the GARDP portfolio and policy.
• Develop GARDP's external R&D/scientific position in antimicrobial resistance policy activities.
• Communicate GARDP's R&D/scientific position and principles with key stakeholders.
• Strategic leadership for R&D educational and outreach activities with REVIVE programme as the cornerstone.

Discovery and exploratory research (DER) :

• Support the DER programme and Leader with executive level organisational support.
• Provides advice on programme strategy and direction and specific microbiology insights on project implementation.
• Provide external advocacy including fundraising support for the programme.

Contribution: The Scientific Director significantly contributes to GARDP’s business plans, translating organizational objectives into specific scientific outputs. They lead internal and external collaborations to ensure cohesion and represent GARDP’s agenda by delivering world-class expertise recognized by the peer community, thus defining our image.

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have technical expertise in clinical microbiology, and extensive knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) science and antibiotic research and early drug development (R&D). Strong communication and presentation skills, along with broad networks across academic, policy, and industry sectors, are necessary. Desirable qualities include experience in research and development, policy-making, and applying microbiology expertise to antibiotic discovery and development. Proven abilities in initiative, problem-solving, communication in multicultural settings, team management, strategic thinking, and interaction with stakeholders are essential. A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience with a Ph.D. in Microbiology are required.