DNA Scientist

Scientist - DNA and Biochemistry

Location: Cambridge

Contract: Full-time and permanent

Sector: Biotechnology

Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 depending on experience and interview performance

Work Hours: 40 hrs a week, Monday to Friday (09:00 - 17:30)

Our client is an innovative biotechnology company based outside of the centre of Cambridge. They have built a platform to synthesise DNA and RNA which provides exciting possibilities for ensuring cheaper, faster and more accurate DNA / gene constructs than traditional plasmid-based methods. They work with external partners to develop gene therapy projects and have some internal projects too. Additionally they have AAV and Lipid-nanoparticle technology platforms in-house. In a key phase of their growth, our client is looking to bring a DNA Scientist to their process development team on a full-time and permanent basis.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity suitable for a BSc / MSc holder in a Biological discipline, alongside additional laboratory experience (either in industry or academia). As a DNA Scientist, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the process development and tech transfer functions with synthetic DNA projects.
  
  
• Validating and optimising various molecular biology and biochemistry experiments to enable efficient product development and transfer to manufacturing. This may include: DNA handling, PCR, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, TFF, AKTA purification (ion exchange, affinity chromatography, size exclusion etc), DNA quantification (nanodrop / Qubit) etc.
  
  
• Optimise and improve processes within the DNA team, working alongside other teams including R&D and manufacturing.
  
  
• Record scientific data in accordance with company policy and presenting data to internal teams.
  
  
• Attending company / team meetings.
  
  Skills and Experience Needed
  
  The ideal candidate will have the following:
  
  
• BSc / MSc in Biology / Biochemistry and an additional 1+ year of laboratory experience gained in academia or industry (essential, equivalent experience okay)
  
  
• Must have proven experience in designing experiments and planning experiment schedules (essential)
  
  
• Prior experience in DNA and molecular biology, with experience in some of the following techniques: micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification (Spectrophotometry / Qubit / nanodrop), PCR, cloning, primer design (essential)
  
  
• Prior experience in one of more of the following: Tangential flow filtration (TFF), capillary electrophoresis or AKTA systems (SEC, IEX, affinity) (desired)
  
  
• Excellent attention to detail. (essential)
  
  
• Ability to work effectively in a team and individually (essential)
  
  
• Experience working in an industrial biological laboratory (desired)
  
  
• Right to work in the UK without need for future visa sponsorship (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