Scientist II

Job title: Scientist II (PCR team)

Reports to: PCR Team Leader

Location: Manchester Science Park

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary & Benefits: Competitive Salary + Benefits Package

About Yourgene Health:

Yourgene Health is a leading integrated technologies and services business, enabling the delivery of genomic medicine. The group works in partnership with global leaders in DNA technology to advance diagnostic science.

Yourgene primarily develops, manufactures, and commercialises simple and accurate molecular diagnostic solutions, for reproductive health, precision medicine and infectious diseases. The Group's flagship in vitro diagnostic products include non -invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) for Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders, Cystic Fibrosis screening tests, invasive rapid aneuploidy tests and DPYD genotyping.

Yourgene has a range of innovative DNA sample preparation platforms, powered by Ranger® Technology, the Yourgene LightBench® and Yourgene QS250, ideal for cell free DNA applications in NIPT and oncology including liquid biopsy.

Yourgene also has a global laboratory service network equipped to be a full life-cycle partner for clinical, research and pharmaceutical organisations to support partners at the preclinical, clinical, and post market stage to develop, manufacture, obtain regulatory approval and commercialise new products and services. In addition, Yourgene offers and NIPT and high throughput Covid testing service.

Yourgene Health is headquartered in Manchester, UK with facilities in Taipei, Singapore, the US and Canada.

Our Culture:

Yourgene is a growing, vibrant and exciting place to work, we are looking for committed driven individuals to be part of our next growth journey. Our culture is described by our employee's as collegiate, friendly, professional, innovative, open and fast paced. We have nay social and well-being initiatives run by our Social Huddle that keep our sense of community alive during challenging times that the pandemic has thrown our way. At Yourgene we focus on putting values led programmes in place to ensure that we can attract, retain and develop our people. We want our people to have a career with Yourgene and we ensure that they are recognised and rewarded for their achievements and commitment, everyone plays a critical role in our growth journey.

Description of role:

Yourgene Health, part of the Novacyt Group, are recruiting for a Scientist II (Associate Level) within our PCR Diagnostics Team based at Manchester Science Park. The Scientist II will work alongside the PCR Team Leader and the PCR team to lead the tactical delivery and development of PCR based in vitro diagnostic products and services.

Overall responsibility:

The Scientist II will work with the team members to ensure work is planned, executed, analysed and documented to the highest standard. In addition, the Scientist II will design and develop in vitro PCR diagnostic products/services for use in a range of applications to high quality and in a timely fashion. The scope will include PCR products developed in line with ISO 13485 and IVDR regulations.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Perform laboratory based technology development using molecular biology techniques including PCR and qPCR
• Independently design and execute experimental laboratory procedures
• Work collaboratively with others in the team, troubleshooting issues and suggesting next steps to resolve these whilst maintaining an innovative spirit
• Analyse experimental results, providing detailed conclusions and identifying technical solutions
• Effective management of required documentation in accordance with company Quality Management System and ISO 13485 regulations
• Provides scientific expertise and technical leadership on projects, as well as planning tactical delivery in functional area
• Lead and participate in activities requiring cross functional collaboration, including leading complex projects
• Support the resource planning activities of Team Leaders and Project Leaders
• Provide expertise into the creation, maintenance and improvement of;
• Overall process SOPs
• Process flows, standardized plans & reports
• Ensure planning and reporting of studies and work-packages is accurate and detailed
• Design effective and efficient studies involving;
• Accurate, efficient and timely documentation
• Developing and implementing protocols to show that tests meet acceptance criteria
• Data generation, ensuring integrity and organized data management
• Provide accurate, concise and independent data interpretation, factoring in systems-level thinking
• Determining test parameters, such as output specifications
• Meeting regulatory or other requirements
• Lead troubleshooting activities when technical issues arise
• Supports the development of external relationships, including through for example, grant applications, KOLs and partners
• Supports the identification of commercially and technically useful solutions for development
• Ensure own work meets regulatory & quality requirements (including compliance to SOPs, documentation using lab books, study plans, study reports and integrity of data)
• Ensure own work and that of junior staff is performed in line with company goals
• Provide support and guidance to junior staff

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Degree or further degree in a life science such as molecular biology, biochemistry or genetics
• Typically 5+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience in the development, verification and validation of molecular diagnostics assays in adherence with CE marking and/or Design Control Regulations, ideally within IVDR and ISO 13485 regulations
• Hands on experience with PCR based assays including proficiency in primer and probe design and the use of Bioinformatics software (e.g. Geneious or equivalent)
• Experience with a range of PCR assay types including qPCR, dPCR and isothermal PCR
• Analysis of data and interpretation of results
• Capable of independently performing experimental design and execution
• Enthusiasm, drive, thoroughness, diligence and a willingness to take personal responsibility to ensure that projects are successful
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Good organizational skills and thrives on working to tight deadlines
• Can summarize scientific data in written form to effectively communicate plans, progress and ideas with Management, Peers or External Audiences
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite and use of the statistical analysis software, JMP

Closing Date:

Thursday 2nd January, 2025

Yourgene Health is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.