Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) Lead/Director

Make your mark for patients

We are looking for a DMPK Lead/Director who is strategic, collaborative, and scientifically driven to join us in our Research & Development team, based in Braine-L'alleud, Belgium or Slough, UK (Windlesham from 2027).

About the role

In this Director level role, you will provide scientific leadership and expertise in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) across global discovery and development programs. You will define and deliver DMPK strategies across the full lifecycle—from early research through clinical development and registration—contributing directly to candidate selection, risk assessment, and patient-focused innovation.

You will play a key role in enabling translation from discovery into clinical success across diverse therapeutic modalities.

Who you’ll work with

You will collaborate within multidisciplinary project teams across R&D, working closely with experts in toxicology, clinical pharmacology, drug design, and translational sciences.
You’ll be part of a team focused on advancing innovative therapies for patients, partnering closely with the wider DMPK community to drive scientific excellence and best practice globally.

What you’ll do

• Lead DMPK strategy across discovery and clinical development programs
• Design and interpret PK, PK/PD, toxicokinetic, ADME, and translational studies
• Influence compound design, candidate selection, and risk mitigation
• Predict human pharmacokinetics, dose, and drug–drug interaction risks
• Contribute to modelling and simulation, including PBPK activities
• Author DMPK sections for regulatory submissions and internal documents
• Serve as DMPK expert for due diligence evaluations of external opportunities
• Provide scientific mentoring and coaching to junior staff

Interested? For this role we’re looking for

• PhD (or equivalent) in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, DMPK, or related discipline
• Significant industrial DMPK experience across discovery and development
• Strong expertise in ADME, PK studies, and human PK prediction
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and submission processes
• Experience with modelling and simulation (PBPK preferred)
• Proven ability to work effectively in global, cross-functional teams

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you! 

About us 
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science. 

Why work with us? 
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. 

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws. 
 
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [email protected]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.