Scientist / Senior Scientist – Joints: Tissue Profiling & Innovation Lab
Location: London, United Kingdom
About Relation
Relation is an end‑to‑end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single‑cell multi‑omics directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding from cause to cure. This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting double collaboration with GSK to tackle fibrosis and osteoarthritis, alongside advancing our own internal osteoporosis programme.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Senior Scientist to join a unique project between the tissue profiling and innovation teams. The role is a 2‑year fixed‑term contract (potential for extension). You will generate single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics data in the lab and drive the analysis and interpretation, leveraging our state‑of‑the‑art compute environment. You will work closely with experimental and computational drug discovery researchers in our newly built functional genomics lab in London. Your work will play a critical role in developing new targets in our drug discovery pipeline through characterising novel biology from patient tissue, translating laboratory findings into potential therapeutic applications.
Responsibilities
* Design, implement, and optimise experiments in single‑cell technologies and spatial biology platforms (e.g., spatial transcriptomics, multiplex imaging).
* Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify disease‑relevant cell types and gene programmes using single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics data.
* Develop and implement protocols to enhance experimental efficiency and reproducibility using primary patient tissue.
* Perform bench work, including sample preparation, instrument operation, and troubleshooting.
* Test and evaluate new technologies and workflows to stay at the cutting edge of the field.
* Provide guidance and technical expertise to junior scientists and research associates.
* Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments and results.
* Help and support the team with biobanking when necessary.
* Contribute to the development and writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
* Ensure the laboratory is clean, organised, and compliant with safety and operational standards by writing risk assessments and maintaining equipment and inventory of reagents and consumables.
Qualifications
* A PhD (for senior scientist role) and at least 3 years of additional experience with an outstanding track record in academia, biotech or pharma.
* At least three years of research experience applying spatial biology approaches to tissues, including handling fresh tissue and FFPE (spatial transcriptomics and protein‑based methods as well as IHC).
* Demonstrable proficiency in bioinformatics and single‑cell data analysis through prior work or publications; ideally via Python or R programming languages.
* Experience in spatial proteomics or probe‑based spatial transcriptomics panel design.
* At least two years of research experience applying single‑cell or spatial transcriptomics approaches to diverse cell types and tissues.
* Expertise in NGS library preparation and Illumina sequencing.
* A proven ability to deliver to tight timelines.
Desirable Knowledge or Experience
* Experience in the preparation of soft, fibrotic, and hard tissues for single‑cell methods (tissue dissociation).
* Experience with FACS.
* Experience in liquid handling or automation.
* Experience with cell culture.
* Expertise in Python applied to single‑cell or spatial transcriptomics data analysis.
* Experience in interdisciplinary team‑working, especially with computational and machine learning scientists.
Personal Attributes
* A highly motivated, independent self‑starter and problem‑solver.
* Exceptionally organised with strong attention to detail, capable of learning quickly and working efficiently under pressure and shifting priorities.
* Excellent communicator with scientists across various disciplines.
* Skilled in building effective working relationships and demonstrating proven teamwork abilities.
* Inclusive in approach with a naturally inquisitive mindset.
* Driven by a passion for applying cutting‑edge single‑cell and spatial technologies to identify disease risk genes and drug targets for conditions with unmet needs.
Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a company redefining how we understand genetics and disease risk. Your contributions will directly impact the development of transformative medicines for patients and set new standards in machine learning and genetics.
Equal Opportunities
Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, or age. We cultivate innovation through collaboration and empower every team member to do their best work.
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