Job Description

The client is a cutting-edge biotech company focused on utilising numerous stem cell lines and technologies for the cultivated meat/cellular agriculture sector. As pioneers in food security and sustainability, they are focused on advancing disruptive technologies to change how we produce proteins without causing damage to human health, animals, and the environment.

The team work with several animal stem cell lines, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and embryonic stem cells (ESC). By supplying animal cell lines to a number of global cultivated meat producers, you will be helping make commercially available cultivated meat a reality.

What you\'ll be doing:
In this brand-new role, you will be working in Assay Development and Validation as part of the Quality Control team. With the overarching aim of deriving, developing, banking, and supplying high quality pluripotent animal stem cells for porcine, ovine, and bovine cell cultivation, you will be developing, validating, and implementing analytical methods for stem cell characterisation and quality assurance.
You will also be collaborating with the cell derivation, cell banking, product development, and customer facing teams to optimise protocols for screening and monitoring of stem cell quality and performance. Ultimately, you will help the team continue to perform to the highest industry standards.

You will be:

• Designing and developing bespoke quantitative biomarker/cell-based assays across a range of species, cell types, and technologies (such as qPCR/dPCR profiling, fit-for-purpose biomarker discovery, ICC, flow cytometry profiling etc.).
• Analysing and sharing your critical interpretations of experiment results. You will utilise these in troubleshooting and next step protocols.
• Optimising and validating quantitative assays, establishing quality thresholds and guidelines. You will also prepare and review SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), implementing and training scientists on new and revised procedures.
• Investigating alternative analytical technologies for the advancement of stem cell biology and cell pipeline quality.

What experience you\'ll need to apply?
This role will be a perfect fit for you if you have:

• A PhD, or Masters/degree in a relevant subject, such as Biological Sciences, Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry or similar. Please note, for candidates who do not have a PhD will require experience beyond academia to apply.
• Extensive experience in quantitative method design for the development and validation of stem cell characterisation and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated experience in mammalian cell culture/stem cell biology, cell-based assay development and validation.
• Experience developing molecular expression/biomarker-based assays.
• Experience in designing, developing, and validating quantitative methods for cell characterisation (such as cell image analyses, primer / biomarker design, qPCR / dPCR, flow cytometry, ICC, karyotyping, etc,).
• Proven experience in delivering research projects, including the design and execution of experiments. You will have strong analytical capabilities and be able to communicate complex information clearly.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, being goal focused, self-motivated and team oriented.

It would be highly desirable for candidates to have experience in any (or all!) of the following:

• Experience in biobank or production cell line banking and quality control.
• Experience in evaluating molecular and functional characteristics of mammalian cells, such as pluripotency state, differentiation potential, differentiation state, differentiation efficiency)
• Experience in developing analytical techniques to characterise different cell lines.
• A strong understanding of cell biology and the complexities of stem cell characterisation.
• Industry experience working to GMP and relevant ISO standards.
• Experience in project delivery and/or commercial R&D projects
• Previously supervised or supported with technology transfer training of other team members.

The client is open to academic and industry experience. Reach out if you have any questions regarding the role requirements, as there is some flexibility.

What you\'ll get in return for your experience:
This is a full-time position (40 hours) with core hours of 9am-5pm Monday-Friday in-lab. There is a 1-hour break for lunch. There is the requirement for occasional weekend work which are given back as TOIL (Time Off In Lieu). The role includes a competitive salary banding (dependent on experience, please reach out with questions on this) and;

• 32 days of holiday (including Bank Holidays).
• 10% employer and 5% employee pension contribution.
• Regular company events to support and develop company culture.
• Private healthcare, life cover and critical illness.

The client is looking for candidates to start as soon as possible and are able to offer VISA Sponsorship. They can also offer relocation support for exceptional international candidates.

What\'s next?
If you would like to work as the Senior Scientist (Assay Development) for a world leading start-up, please apply for the position or get in touch with Imogen Turner (imogen.t@adlib-recruitment.co.uk) for more information. Please note, there is a deadline for the 31st of August.

ADLIB