Senior Molecular Biologist

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Job Title**:Senior Molecular Biologist

**Application requirement**:Cover Letter and CV

**Company**: ABS - Advanced Bacterial Sciences

**Department**: Science & Innovation

**Address**:Lancaster/Morecambe - England

**Reporting to**: Dr Gabriela Meirelles

**Duration**: Permanent

**Salary**: £35,000 - £50,000

**Posting Contact Name**: Louise Bush

**NATURE OF WORK**:
Advanced Bacterial Sciences (ABS) is a rapidly-growing, pioneering enterprise providing environmentally and ecologically friendly microbial products for the bioremediation of a wide range of environmental pollution problems. ABS is leading a number of ongoing and future projects on the development, trials and production of bioremediation products applicable to real-world settings.

ABS is offering a position for a full-time Senior Molecular Scientist to join the Molecular Laboratory in the Science and Innovation department. The post-holder will be leading the design and implementation of the company’s molecular analysis procedures and protocols for various projects in the Science & Innovation department, involving but not limited to genomics and genetics analysis from environmental samples (soil water and agricultural slurry): microbial community analysis, pathogen detection, gene quantification, species identification, metagenomics and transcriptomics.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST**:
The post-holder will be expected to lead and be a mentor on a variety of molecular biology, biochemical and microbiological methodologies across a wide range of projects. The role holder will:

- Provide scientific inputs and technical leadership on various molecular methods for all projects.
- Use various cell and molecular biology techniques and lab information management systems (LIMS) to ensure projects move forward within the expected timelines and specifications.
- Have plenty of experience with library preparation for Oxford Nanopore technologies.
- Develop efficient workflow systems with available resources and instruments.
- Implement methods and improvement procedures and methodologies.

Provide expertise on molecular biology, including investigation of negative/uncertain results and improvement of analytical methods.
- Analyse and interpret complex genomic data, assess QC data and prepare reports of key outcomes/results.
- Be proactive and use in depth internal and external knowledge to identify process improvement opportunities and implement new ways of working that have a direct impact on productivity and/or quality.
- Lead projects that result in benefits to key molecular analytical processes, such as reduction of service lead time & cost, improvement of data quality and extension of service areas
- Support the Product Development team and troubleshoot arisen issues relevant to molecular biology.
- Stay current with relevant scientific literature and new technologies to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Be a role model within the group.
- Train and mentor junior team members, providing guidance and support as needed.
- Communicate analysis findings and information in a clear, easy-to-understand manner to other scientists and non-experts in the company.
- Use resources effectively, while maintaining high standards for your team
- Be a champion in operational delivery and help direct day-to-day laboratory activities and report on milestones delivery.
- Show high levels of motivation and demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude in your daily tasks.
- Provide periodic reports and agree on workflow systems with the line manager to ensure an aligned understanding on the workload at each step.

**MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES**:

- Design, execute, analyse and interpret molecular biology-based assays to assess gene editing events (Primer design, PCR, qRT-PCR, ddPCR, Sanger sequencing, NGS etc).
- Be familiar with a wide range of DNA analysis software and experienced with using various bioinformatics tools and data analysis packages.
- Perform regular inventory checks on laboratory supplies.
- Produce, maintain and update COSHH and Risk Assessment documents.
- Provide support to other members of staff.

**KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE**:

- PhD in molecular biology or related field (essential)
- Strong knowledge and experience with a range of sequencing techniques, software and databases, including but not limited to PCR, Sanger sequencing, NGS library preparation, whole genome sequencing and assembly(essential)
- Experience with method optimisation and validation (essential)
- A minimum of 5 years experience working and managing a commercial molecular biology laboratory and leading teams (essential).

**COMPETENCIES/KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS**:

- Highly motivated and fast-learning individual looking to pursue a long-term career in molecular biology.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and results to a range of audiences.
- Seniority and strong exper