(Senior) Principal Scientist, Global Efficacy – Equine Therapeutic Area

Job Introduction

Thanks for checking out our vacancy, we’re delighted you want to learn more about Dechra!

Dechra is a growing, global specialist within the world of veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

Here at Dechra, our values are embedded within our culture and thrive within our family of almost 3000 colleagues globally. From manufacturing to marketing, (D)edication, (E)njoyment, (C)ourage, (H)onesty, (R)elationships and (A)mbition are at the heart of our everyday operations and the way we do business.

The Opportunity

Lead the strategy, design, execution, and delivery of equine efficacy programs supporting veterinary drug development from early research through regulatory approval and lifecycle management. Serve as the Efficacy Lead for development programs and, where required, provide cross-functional project lead

So, what will you be doing? This role has a broad and varied scope and the successful candidate will have responsibility for duties including:

Efficacy Strategy & Scientific Leadership

Lead efficacy strategy across assigned equine development programs.
Design and oversee in vitro, proof-of-concept, pharmacology, dose selection, and clinical field studies.
Translate disease biology, clinical needs, and target product profiles into scientifically robust development plans.
Integrate data into clear scientific and regulatory evidence supporting product approval and differentiation.

Study Design & Execution

Plan, execute and deliver efficacy studies on time, within budget, and to regulatory quality standards.
Ensure study integrity, animal welfare, clinical relevance, and compliance with GLP, VICH GCP, and applicable regulations.
Monitor study progress, recruitment, risks, and data quality, driving timely issue resolution.

Regulatory Support

Prepare and review study protocols, reports, and regulatory submission documents.
Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs to support agency interactions and responses regarding efficacy, endpoints, and target animal safety.

External Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

Build and manage relationships with CROs, investigators, referral hospitals, academic institutions, and Key Opinion Leaders.
Ensure high-quality study delivery through effective oversight of external partners.
Develop and maintain a strong external scientific network to support current and future pipeline opportunities.

Disease Models & Translational Science

Contribute to the development and validation of equine disease models and translational tools.
Ensure scientific platforms are clinically relevant and support future portfolio needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Regulatory, Safety, Clinical Operations, Statistics, CMC, Manufacturing, Commercial and Portfolio teams.
Align efficacy strategies with regulatory expectations, commercial objectives, and real-world clinical practice.
Clearly communicate risks, trade-offs, and recommendations to support informed decision-making.

Project Leadership

Lead cross-functional development teams and integrated project plans.
Represent projects at governance meetings.
Drive project execution, decision-making, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.

Here at Dechra we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer and we embrace candidates from all walks of life. We’re particularly excited to hear from those who have/are:

DVM/VMD or advanced degree (PhD, MSc, board certification) in veterinary, biomedical, pharmacology, or related discipline.
5–10+ years in veterinary pharmaceutical R&D, ideally in equine product development or clinical research.
Expertise in efficacy study design, clinical development, pharmacology, regulatory requirements, and collaboration with CROs and external experts.
Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

As a people first values-based culture, we provide free weekly wellness sessions focused on our employee's physical and mental wellbeing, and flexible work arrangements. We offer a generous employer 401k match and an other incentives for long-term financial wellness. Our full array of health, financial and voluntary benefit programs are what you would expect from a recognized Best Place to Work.

Apply