Group Leader, Biopharma

Role overview

As a Group Leader in the Biopharma team at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Athlone, you will guide a laboratory group, coordinate resources, and help keep project work on track. The position sits within PPD, where the focus is on work that contributes to healthier, cleaner, and safer outcomes worldwide.

The laboratory services function supports patient health through strong scientific expertise, attention to accuracy, and a commitment to quality. This role is geared toward improving the flow of projects, supporting quality systems, and helping maintain timely delivery across the department.

Work schedule and environment

This is a standard Monday to Friday day-shift position. The work environment requires strict observance of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) safety expectations.

Key duties

The Group Leader is expected to manage a team of analysts, direct day-to-day lab activity, and ensure project tasks are properly staffed and scheduled. The role also involves monitoring project progress, keeping status records current in LIMS, and checking timesheets for billing accuracy.

You will contribute to the preparation, review, and approval of study protocols, project updates, final reports, and other technical documentation. The position also includes designing studies, supporting technical troubleshooting, and reviewing data to confirm it meets technical, protocol, method, and SOP requirements.

Additional responsibilities include reviewing and approving laboratory investigations, deviations, QA facility audits, and data audits, while also supporting client and regulatory inspections. You will respond to client questions, lead technical discussions, help develop proposals and pricing, and coordinate with internal teams such as physical testing, analytical development, QA, and sample management.

The role further calls for support to senior group leaders and managers, along with helping prepare and implement SOPs, company procedures, and quality system improvements.

Experience and background

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as chemistry or biochemistry is required, although an equivalent mix of education, training, and directly related experience may also be accepted. The employer is seeking someone with around 5 or more years of relevant experience, plus at least 1 year in a leadership role.

Technical knowledge

Strong familiarity with pharmaceutical, biotech, or analytical contract laboratory settings is important. The role also calls for knowledge of stability testing, QC, analytical R&D, and project or program management, along with direct supervision of technical staff.

Applicants should have a solid understanding of GMP requirements, client SOPs, ICH guidelines, EP and USP standards, as well as EMA and FDA guidance. Hands-on familiarity with analytical techniques such as HPLC, UPLC, electrophoresis methods including CE, iCE, and SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and spectrophotometry is expected.

Additional information

Thermo Fisher Scientific and PPD emphasize integrity, intensity, innovation, and involvement, and they highlight a workplace that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The company also provides accessibility support for candidates with disabilities who need accommodations during the application process. A dedicated phone line is available only for disability-related application assistance.

The employer is an equal opportunity action employer and states that hiring decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics.

Application note

No external application link is included here.