Scientist - Assay Development

The Company
Superb opportunity to join a growing biotech in Oxford who specialise in pathogen detection using fluorescence microscopy and machine learning.
It’s an exciting time to join as they look to scale up and accelerate their research moving into 2025.
You’ll join a small team of 10 and work within a collaborative, open-planned lab setting.
The Role – Assay Development Scientist
This is a lab-based position and the key focus will be to support the development of new capabilities in their pathogen detection systems.
You will deploy and work with multiple techniques to support different stages of platform development, as well as perform assays to generate validation data.
You’ll also support the daily running of the lab and maintenance of equipment.
Responsibilities:
* Independently design, perform and analyse experiments.
* Troubleshoot equipment and methods within the process of development of the assay.
* Help to test and optimise sample consumable and ensure good integration with the assay hardware.
* Liaise with 3rd party users of prototype consumables to gather externally validated data.
* Validating selected pathogens in CL2 conditions.
* Analyse, interpret and summarise results for presentation at internal meetings.
* Contributing to discussions and sharing research findings with colleagues.
* Documenting research findings clearly in an electronic lab book.
* Assist in producing and collating procedures, guidelines and reports.
* Prepare project plans and reports.
* Contribute to general lab duties.
* Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively to meet changing demands of projects.
* Maintain best practice, quality standards and accurate record keeping.
* Keep up to date with and support implementation of new technologies and protocols.
* Communicate effectively with all members of the company and with collaborators.
* Thrive in an environment of openness, teamwork and accountability.
* Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.
* Contribute ideas for new research projects.
Requirements:
Essential
* PhD, or MSc (with a minimum of four years of laboratory experience), in a biology, bioengineering, biomedical sciences or biophysics related discipline .
* Expertise in fluorescence microscopy.
* Practical experience of assay development in an industrial or product development environment.
* Broad knowledge of biological sciences with an emphasis on imaging pathogenic systems.
* Capacity to execute tasks independently to achieve company goals on an established timeline.
* Superb communication, organization, attention-to-details, multi-tasking, adaptability and teamwork skills.
* Knowledge of, and appreciation for, laboratory safety procedures.
* Enthusiasm to work in a dynamic research environment.
Desirable
* Ability to design and perform experiments such as real-time PCR and protein purification.
* Expertise in fluorescence labelling techniques.
* Expertise in microorganism immobilisation techniques.
* Expertise in handling and preparing pathogen samples for imaging.
More details available on successful application