Our client, a biopharmaceutical company based near Cambridge, is looking for a Senior Research Associate to join their growing Biology team. Reporting to the Head of Biology, the Senior Research Associate will interrogate the efficacy and safety of our client's cell therapy in a range of sophisticated in vitro assays and in vivo models.
The successful candidate will be lab-based and will be expected to work with scientists across Biology with a range of responsibilities.
The successful candidate will have previous experience working within a laboratory environment with a demonstrated ability to follow and generate protocols. Ideally candidates should have experience culturing cell line as well as primary cells and setting up and running flow cytometry assays. Candidates should be comfortable with a fast-paced, dynamic working environment and will require good communication skills to interact with the rest of the company.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Planning and execution of a wide range of robust experiments, technical studies, and tasks, working independently based on protocols and in line with departmental objectives.
- Differentiation of iPSC/HSC cells and characterisation via flow cytometry, western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence.
- Cell culture (propagation, banking, characterisation) of cell lines and primary cells utilised in therapeutic programs for lead selection and profiling.
- Liaise with programme leaders and matrix team members for data exchange and cell culture/assay planning, as well as generation and characterisation of reporter cell lines.
- Timely, accurate recording and analysis of results and compliance with data integrity procedures.
- Timely presentation of data to the department and wider company.
- Contribution to critical interpretation of data to draw results driven hypotheses, with influence on project/function direction.
- Working to existing SOPs and risk assessments and contribution to generating new ones as appropriate.
- Adoption of software, instruments, automation, and ways of working which help further improve data robustness & data meta-analysis.
It is essential that candidates have the following skills and experience:
- A relevant BSc, MSc or equivalent experience in the areas of cell culture (immune cells, iPSC, HSC, ESC)
- Experience with flow cytometry
- Experience with developing assays for detection of cytokine or antibodies
- Experience with ELISA and /or western blot
- Proven lab-based experience with protocol design, data recording, processing, and storage
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Scientific drive, technical ability, autonomy & confidence, backed by solid topical knowledge and project experience
- Proficiency with critical interpretation of data and implementation into an experimental cascade
- Communication in a clear, well-structured, and professional manner with key stakeholders within the company on a regular basis
- Contribution to authoring of technical and science reports which will feed into IND filings
- Awareness of latest scientific literature in company-relevant projects and general scientific areas.