An exciting opportunity is available for an R&D Scientist with expertise in Vector Development to join a growing start-up. With state-of-the-art facilities and a robust pipeline of upcoming projects, this role offers the chance to contribute to innovative research and development.

Responsibilities:

The purpose of this role is to develop mammalian plasmid constructs for optimal expression of antibody therapeutics to be used in mammalian bioprocesses. As a Scientist you will be part of an innovative multidisciplinary team that will develop the next generation of mammalian expression systems & cells lines to enable highly productive pharmaceutical bioprocesses and, ultimately, more cost effective Immunotherapeutics.

• Design and screen mammalian gene expression plasmids for high and stable expression of therapeutic antibodies including bi-/tri-specific antibodies

• Design and optimise CRISPR knock-out and ORF libraries to be used in high throughput functional genomics pipelines

• Design, plan, and execute complex R&D experiments ensuring that deliverables are successfully met within timelines

• Document research findings clearly in a lab book

• Communicate regularly in group meetings and prepare and deliver presentations to project team and internal stakeholders

• Along with team members, provide routine laboratory maintenance, including participating in equipment upkeep, cleaning rotas and laboratory consumables stock management

• Shared responsibility for out-of-hours cell culture maintenance.

• Ensure that laboratory health, safety and quality procedures are followed

• Select, follow, and adapt experimental protocols and generate laboratory SOPs

• Support the preparation of laboratory risk assessments and maintenance of health and safety protocols

• Maintain the confidentiality of the project and protocols

• Keep abreast of current technologies and relevant scientific literature to help identify opportunity for improvements and reduction of costs

Experience Required

Essential Experience:

• BSc/MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field

• BSc/MSc with 3+ years of industry experience or PhD with 1-2 years’ experience

• Extensive experience of designing, preparing and screening mammalian gene expression plasmids within the context of mammalian cell line development

• Experience of designing CRISPR knock-out and ORF libraries for high-throughput functional genomics screens

• Experience of working safely with 3rd generation lentiviral plasmid systems within a CAT2.0 environment

• Experience of designing mammalian gene expression constructs for Immunotherapeutics molecules eg. antibodies

• Experience of working with bioprocess relevant cell lines eg. CHO or HEK293

• Familiarity of mammalian cell line development including generation of GM/GE cell lines, single cell cloning and clonal screening

• Experience of mammalian cell culture and related techniques including passaging, banking, transfection, nucleofection & genotyping

• Skilled in molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, Western Blot, ELISA, plasmid preparation, plasmid cloning, site directed mutagenesis & FACS

• Experience of working with SnapGene or related software

• Skilled in experimental design and troubleshooting

• Ability to work independently and as part of team

• Good numeracy, computer and communication skills

• Experience of writing SOPs and risk assessment

Desirable Experience:

• Application of Design of Experiments (DOE) to rationalise experiment design

• Familiarity of working with large datasets including transcriptomic / proteomic datasets

• Experience with automation and high-throughput technologies applied to mammalian cell line generation eg. Beacon, 96 deep well plate model systems & Ambr15

£40k - £55k + Benefits