Cell Biologist

Cell Biologist – Gene Delivery

Location: Cambridge

Contract: Full-time and permanent

Sector: Biotechnology / Drug Discovery

Salary: £32,000 - £35,000

Our client is an innovative biotechnology company based outside of the centre of Cambridge. They have built a platform to synthesise DNA which provides exciting possibilities for ensuring cheaper, faster and more accurate DNA / gene constructs than traditional plasmid-based methods. In a key phase of their growth, our client is looking to onboard experienced Scientists in the field of cellular biology to support their gene delivery platform using nanoparticles (predominately mRNA based LNP lipid nanoparticles).

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity for an experienced Scientist who has experience in a cell biology, ideally within a lipid nanoparticle or vaccine setting. If you have experience in running + developing mammalian cell-based assays, cell culture and are looking for the next step in your career then this opportunity could be for you. As a Scientist within the cellular biology team you will be responsible for:

• Developing, optimising and running cell-based assays to test novel nanoparticle formulations. Cell-based assay will include flow cytometry / FACS, ELISAs and phenotypic assays.
  
  
• Routine and specialised cell culture of different immortalised mammalian cells (potentially primary cells also).
  
  
• Lipid Nanoparticle handling and testing.
  
  
• Cell transfection, DNA / RNA handling and validation of cell lines using flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA etc.
  
  
• Plan, refine and execute experiments which align with overall project plans.
  
  
• Work individually and collaboratively within the R&D teams.
  
  
• Play an active role in departmental meetings and development meetings.
  
  
• Liaising with external partners.
  
  
• Keep a comprehensive and up-to-date record of experiments and data/results
  
  Skills and Experience Needed
  
  The ideal candidate will have the following:
  
  
• BSc/MSc/PhD in a biological discipline – Cellular or Molecular Biology (essential – equivalent experience welcome)
  
  
• Must have at least 3-5 years of post-graduate experience in a similar position in academia or industry (essential – equivalent experience welcome)
  
  
• Previous cell culture experience with mammalian cell lines (essential)
  
  
• Expertise in several of the following techniques: ELISA, ELISpot, q-PCR, Western blotting, Flow Cytometry, mammalian transfection (essential)
  
  
• Handling of DNA / RNA and associated molecular techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, Qubit / nanodrop (essential)
  
  
• Prior experience in working with LNPs (lipid nanoparticles) and their characterisation using DLS etc (desired)
  
  
• Experience in troubleshooting and developing laboratory protocols (desired)
  
  
• Excellent communication skills (essential)
  
  
• Existing right to work in the UK (essential)
  
  The Package
  
  As an up-and-coming Cambridge Biotech, our client is able to offer a competitive salary, progression options and benefits package including private pension and private health insurance