Senior Scientist – Cell Biology
at Arctoris Ltd
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £40,000 - £50,000
Who they are
Arctoris a leading drug discovery services company advancing drug discovery experimentation. We combine our unique automated laboratory and data science platform, Ulysses™, with a world-class team of seasoned drug hunters to guide and rapidly progress biotech and pharmaceutical partner drug discovery programs from target to hit, lead, and candidate.
Job Description
Key responsibilities:
Design, plan, manage and deliver internal and client research projects
Perform in vitro experiments and assays to an exceptional standard
Develop and improve new assays for automation
Data analysis, interpretation and presentation (including written reports and presentations) of experiment results
Keeping thorough documentation of work that has been carried out
Following standard operating procedures and establishing new SOPs when required
Maintain mammalian cell cultures, primary cell cultures and 3D cell models across a variety of scientific fields and disease settings (e.g. cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular)
Providing feasibility assessments of projects in advance to aid the sales team
Communicating effectively with clients in scientific meetings
Keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical development
Work well within a team to optimise processes, teach others and learn
Contribute ideas to technology development strategies and maintain a culture of continual improvement
The ideal candidate
You should be a highly experienced cell biologist with experience of managing scientists, managing multiple projects and building scientific growth strategies in a commercial setting. This is an onsite role and successful candidates will ideally have:
Technical Expertise:
Strong background in the development and execution of biological screening assays
Experience in handling of small molecule and biologics
Experience with iPSC cell culture and differentiation (especially neuronal cells and cardiomyocytes)
Strong background in neurobiology and neuronal cell culture techniques
with imaging methods
Knowledge of neurodegenerative disease models
Leadership Skills:
Experience leading small teams or mentoring junior scientists
Ability to manage commercial projects, budgets and timelines
Confident at decision making
Additional Skills:
Understanding of automation
Experience with data analysis and interpretation of simple and complex assay data
Experience with project management and resource allocation
Ability to collaborate with other teams (e.g., bioinformatics, portfolio management, business development)
Strong communication skills to present complex scientific concepts to various stakeholders
Up-to-date knowledge of current trends and emerging technologies in cell biology
Understanding of the biotech, pharmaceutical and contract research organisation (CRO) industry
PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, or related field
Ideally 2-5 years of post-PhD experience, predominantly in an industrial setting
Proven ability to disseminate research results e.g. in reports, presentations and peer reviewed journal publications
Your previous background will be in cell biology, ideally including some of:
Mammalian cell culture and complex cell models (ideally 3D cell models, iPSC or other primary cell systems) including development/optimization of culturing conditions
Implementing, performing and troubleshooting a broad range of cell based assays for Genotypic and Phenotypic analysis (for example: flow cytometry, live-cell microscopy or immunofluorescence, NanoBRET based assays, ELISA)
Practical experience with one or more gene engineering and gene modulation technologies for cell line engineering and development (CRISPR or RNAi mediated gene modulation)
Assay development expertise for drug screening (for example high content analysis, small molecule or biologicals screening, siRNA or CRISPR screens, ELISA etc.)
Expertise in neurodegenerative diseases or oncology and complementary advanced research techniques
Advanced instrumentation or automation experience
Experience in setting up and/ or running medium to-high throughput screening (MTS-HTS) assays
Experience handling large datasets including data QC and analysis
Significant experience of working in an industrial setting
