Scientist

Mesh-AI Limited; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology company based in Cambridge is seeking a motivated Scientist to join their iPSC Platform team. The successful candidate will lead the generation and characterization of iPSC lines while collaborating closely with Product Management, R&D, and Production teams. This role requires excellent time management and communication skills, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant biological science field. It offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, contributing to impactful projects in biotechnology.

Benefits

Vibrant work environment

Opportunities for personal development

Work with cutting-edge technologies

Qualifications

• Demonstrable industrial experience in human induced pluripotent stem cell biology.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques like PCR and nucleic acid extraction.
• Ability to mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead generation of master and working cell banks for iPSC lines.
• Ensure experimental work is designed to the highest standards.
• Monitor and report key performance data to the Department lead.

Skills

Process oriented

Excellent time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science

Tools

Electronic notebook

Flow cytometry

Optical genome mapping

Job description

Overview

bit.bio is an award-winning spinout from the University of Cambridge. Our breakthrough technology combines synthetic and stem cell biology for the precise, efficient and consistent reprogramming of human cells used in research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. At bit.bio, we are passionate about engineering human cells that will enable the medicine of the future. To do this we need talented and curious people who want to make an impact on the future of science and therapeutics.

As a team of individuals, we value science, collaboration, openness, curiosity and creativity. We are united by trust and respect for each other. Location: Babraham Research Park, Cambridge. Type: Full time, permanent. Start: Immediate.

This role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for UK skilled worker sponsorship. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK or must not require sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa.

Your role in our team

We are seeking a motivated Scientist to join our iPSC Platform team, playing a key role in the onboarding, maintenance and characterisation of both Master and Working Cell Banks that underpin bit.bio’s work.

In this role, you will ensure the availability of consistent, highly characterised iPSC material to support our R&D, manufacturing, and product development efforts. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, R&D, Process Development and Production, you will contribute at multiple stages of new product development, ensuring projects stay on track and on time.

As such, there is a need to be diplomatic, collaborative and adaptable, thriving in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment. The ability to manage shifting priorities with agility will be key to your success.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead the generation of master and working cell banks for a variety of iPSC lines with full characterisation; overseeing iPSC culture and quality assessments.
• Schedule work alongside other priorities and ensure experimental work is designed and carried out to the highest standards.
• Support cell line karyotype assessment via Optical Genome Mapping. Contribute to the expansion of this platform to support company goals.
• Develop and optimise SOPs in key processes such as cryopreservation, characterisation assays and establishment of quality criteria to support cell line generation.
• Provide training and guidance to junior team members, ensuring they are proficient in processes and adhere to established protocols effectively.
• Drive validation of new cell culture systems to ensure the platform remains fit for purpose, including culture medium, coating matrix, and plastic format.
• Designing and running functional assays to qualify iPSC line quality. Proactively design experiments to capture and interpret data where needed.
• Support junior members of the team by providing intellectual and practical support. Support day-to-day decision making around team activities and priorities to support team and company goals.
• Promote a proactive, continual improvement culture and systems to maintain high standards of service and good practice. Proactively identify opportunities to push the team to continually develop better ways of operating.
• Proactively highlight potential areas for improvement to your line manager and drive changes in process and procedures where applicable.
• Monitor and report key performance data to the Department lead (e.g., project status and progress). Provide updates both verbally and via presentations to the relevant project teams.
• Collaborate with team members and other departments to achieve project goals. Be proactive in your communication with others to support the most effective team dynamic, focused on common goals.
• Hold a minimum Bachelor’s degree qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field of Biological Science.
• Be a motivated scientist demonstrating the highest scientific rigour, operational skill and work standards.
• Be process oriented and experienced in developing, optimising and implementing workflows, protocols, procedures and resources in a quality management environment.

With essential experience in…

• Demonstrable and extensive industrial experience within the biotech or equivalent industry, working with human induced pluripotent stem cell biology, characterisation and culture systems.
• Experience of molecular biology techniques (Nucleic acid extraction, PCR etc).
• Experience of working to detailed instructions outlined in SOPs and recording experimental work in an electronic notebook or equivalent.
• Experience of mentoring more junior team members and managing internal & external stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent time management, organisation and communication skills.

and possibly…

• Cell phenotyping and functional end point analysis e.g. flow cytometry, qPCR, ICC etc.
• Experience in cell characterisation, karyotyping and data analysis using specialist techniques such as optical genome mapping.
• Expertise in continuous improvement and its implementation (e.g., LEAN, 5S) and experience of working to a quality management system.
• Experience in automation and bioreactor operation.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment to GLP, GMP or similar.

More reasons to join us

bit.bio provides a vibrant and dynamic work environment in an exciting, fast-moving time for biology. We work with cutting edge technologies and with our world-leading scientific advisory board. We conduct pioneering work with real-world impact.

We trust our people to make significant contributions early on with opportunities to be involved in projects that are key to the success and growth of our young company. We invest in people, creating opportunities for personal development in an inclusive multi-skilled team with ambitious goals that provide opportunities to learn on the job from each other.

Creativity and open minds are encouraged for everyone to contribute to the success of the company.

Application steps

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