We are recruiting for an early-stage start-up based in Oxford who have recently secured their Seed funding. They are building a platform that identifies microbes and their antimicrobial profile directly from clinical samples, enabling transformational change in the fight against sepsis and antibiotic resistance. The success of this technology will ensure a revolution in the microbiology diagnostic space and set the standard for tomorrow.
They are seeking a highly experienced Senior Scientist with extensive expertise in microbiology, particularly relating to clinical samples, with a strong preference for experience working with blood specimens. The ideal candidate will bring significant experience from the IVD industry, demonstrating hands-on capabilities in assay development and validation.
About the role:
* Collaborate / lead microbiology-focused projects involving clinical sample analysis and assay development.
* Develop and validate diagnostic assays aligned with company objectives and regulatory requirements.
* Ensure meticulous planning, execution, and documentation of scientific processes and experimentation.
* Implement and take responsibility for laboratory standard operating procedures
* Perform activities to highest health and safety standards, as well as taking ownership of COSHH and other risk assessments
* Work closely with colleagues in Engineering to ensure that processes are developed and performed to enable testing of prototype hardware designs
* Mentor and lead laboratory staff, fostering collaboration and effective communication across teams.
About the candidate:
* PhD or equivalent advanced degree in Bioscience or related discipline.
* Expert in microbiology including aseptic technique, management of cell banks, culturing of a variety of microorganisms, microscopy, growth quantification and other analytical techniques
* Proven track record within an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) development environment.
* Experience in handling and processing clinical samples, such as whole blood.
* Experience in drug sensitivity/antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods
* Demonstrated experience in assay design, method development, and validation
* Exceptional planning, documentation, and organizational skills
* Demonstrated experience in driving and leading project work-packages
* Strong communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills