A rapidly growing biotechnology company is seeking an Assay Development Scientist to drive the end-to-end development of single-molecule assay kits for pharmaceutical research applications. This is a hands-on, cross-functional position bridging product design and manufacturing — ideal for a scientist who combines technical depth with practical experience in developing robust, scalable assay products.
You’ll convert product specifications into validated, manufacturable kits optimized for advanced single-molecule detection platforms. The remit spans feasibility assessment, experimental design, optimization, validation, and technology transfer, ensuring each product meets rigorous scientific and operational standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Translate product specifications into experimental objectives and development plans.
* Assess assay feasibility, component compatibility, and manufacturability within single-molecule workflows.
* Develop and optimize fluorescence-based assays (e.g. smFRET, FCS, FCCS).
* Design and execute analytical validation studies for sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility.
* Define and implement quality control criteria and documentation for manufacturing transfer.
* Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Management to ensure seamless scale-up.
* Provide technical data and support for pharmaceutical customer applications.
Essential Skills and Experience
* PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
* Proven track record in assay development, optimization, and validation for industrial or pharmaceutical use.
* Experience translating research assays into reproducible kit formats.
* Strong experimental design and quantitative analytical skills.
* Excellent documentation and communication abilities.
* Proven success managing cross-functional development projects.
Preferred
* Hands-on experience with single-molecule fluorescence techniques (smFRET, FCS, FCCS).
* Expertise in biochemical assay development for proteins, nucleic acids, or complex molecular systems.
* Familiarity with pharmaceutical assay development, kinetics, or screening.
* Exposure to design-for-manufacture, GLP, or ISO 13485-aligned frameworks.
The Offer
* Competitive salary
* Share options
* 4% employer pension contribution
* 26 days annual leave
* On-site, collaborative R&D environment
* Opportunity to shape a new generation of high-performance molecular assays for the pharmaceutical industry