Location: London, UK
Type: Full-time
About the Company
They are an early-stage synthetic biology company developing new tools to make DNA synthesis more accessible, flexible, and scalable for research and biotech applications.
They are looking for an experienced scientist to help advance their platform from proof of concept to validated product. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex molecular biology problems, working across disciplines, and taking real ownership in a startup environment.
Please note applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
About the role
This role is best suited to someone with strong experience in enzymatic genome assembly, particularly ligation-based DNA assembly, and the construction of long double-stranded DNA from shorter building blocks.
You will lead the development of core assembly workflows, improve robustness and fidelity, and help translate lab-based biology into an integrated platform.
* Design and optimise enzymatic DNA assembly workflows, with a focus on ligation-based assembly of long dsDNA constructs
* Develop strategies for building larger and more complex genetic constructs in a scalable way
* Build synthetic gene cassettes and DNA constructs for testing and validation
* Improve sequence fidelity through verification, QC, and error-correction approaches
* Troubleshoot workflows using a rigorous, data-led approach
* Work closely with engineers and automation colleagues to adapt biological workflows for platform integration
* Maintain clear experimental records, SOPs, and risk assessments
About you
Essential:
* PhD in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
* Strong hands-on experience in DNA assembly, ideally including enzymatic genome assembly and ligation-based methods
* Experience assembling multi-fragment DNA constructs in vitro and/or in cells
* Strong understanding of nucleic acid biochemistry, enzymology, and sequence design
* Good experimental design and troubleshooting skills
* Experience with Python or another scripting language for data analysis
* Clear communication skills and the ability to work well in a cross-functional team
* Comfortable in a fast-moving startup environment
Desirable:
* Experience with synthetic genome construction or large DNA assemblies
* Familiarity with combinatorial library design
* Experience with nucleic acid thermodynamics or structure prediction tools such as NUPACK or ViennaRNA
* Experience with fluorescence- or FRET-based assays
* Exposure to automation or instrument development
* An understanding of how scientific development supports product goals
Benefits
* Competitive salary, reviewed annually
* EMI share options
* 25 days’ holiday plus UK bank holidays
* Pension contributions in line with UK auto-enrolment
* A chance to join a small, focused team and make a direct impact on the technology and company