Scientist – Cellular Immunology (T-cell focus)
Location: King’s Cross, London (on-site, with some flexibility for remote work depending on project needs)
Visa/relocation: No sponsorship or relocation available, must already have right to work in the UK
Benefits include:
* Workplace pension (with employer contribution)
* 26 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
* Enhanced sick leave and parental leave policies
* Private health insurance (including dental)
* Career development support
About the Company
This is a discovery-stage biotech with a bold mission: to rethink how therapies for complex diseases are designed. Their approach is rooted in computational antigen design, combining advanced machine learning with deep experimental biology to unlock new therapies where traditional methods have fallen short.
They are a close-knit team of around 26 people, with funding secured until 2027 and a Series B in the pipeline. They’ve recently invested in a brand-new state-of-the-art lab in King’s Cross, placing them at the heart of London’s biotech hub. The culture is collaborative and fast-moving, where contributions are visible, voices are heard, and every individual sees their work directly shaping the pipeline.
Unlike many early-stage Biotech's chasing quick wins, their platform is designed to be broadly applicable across multiple diseases and therapeutic areas, giving them resilience and long-term scope. For someone joining now, it’s an opportunity to make an immediate impact, while building a career in a business with scientific credibility, sustainable funding, and lasting vision.
The Opportunity
A new role within the translational research team, focused on T-cell biology and cellular immunology. You’ll play a central role in advancing next-generation vaccine and therapeutic design, working closely with computational scientists. This is a visible, high-impact role in a lean start-up environment, offering significant influence on the pipeline and close collaboration across functions.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and optimise cellular/immunological testing platforms to inform antigen design
* Design and run functional assays with primary human/mouse T cells and cell lines
* Characterise T-cell responses (flow cytometry, ICS, CTL assays, cytokine profiling)
* Perform cell culture, PBMC isolation, and immune tissue processing
* Assess antigen delivery, expression, and processing (DNA/mRNA transfection, mRNA-LNP formulation support)
* Maintain accurate records, contribute to study reports, ensure compliance with data integrity and safety
* Collaborate across the translational team and provide support to junior staff
Requirements
* PhD (or equivalent experience) in T-cell biology, cellular immunology, or related subject with strong T-cell experience gained in academia or industry
* Extensive hands-on experience in functional and analytical assays with primary human and/or animal T cells
* Skilled in handling and culturing T cells (primary and cell lines)
* Experience in in vitro and ex vivo assays, including cytokine secretion, expansion, intracellular cytokine staining, and CTL assays
* Strong background in multi-parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, staining, and data analysis
* Competent in transfection (plasmid DNA and/or IVT mRNA)
* Industry experience preferred but not essential
* Collaborative, proactive, adaptable mindset with a “can-do” approach