Scientist - DNA

Location: Cambridge

Contract: Full-time and permanent

Sector: Biotechnology

Salary: £26,000 - £35,000 depending on experience and interview performance

Work Hours: 40 hrs a week, Monday to Friday (09:00 - 17:30)

Our client is an innovative biotechnology company based outside of the centre of Cambridge. They have built a platform to synthesise DNA and RNA which provides exciting possibilities for ensuring cheaper, faster and more accurate DNA / gene constructs than traditional plasmid-based methods. They work with external partners to develop gene therapy projects and have some internal projects too. Additionally they have AAV and Lipid-nanoparticle technology platforms in-house. In a key phase of their growth, our client is looking to bring a DNA Scientist to their process development team on a full-time and permanent basis.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity suitable for a BSc / MSc holder in a Biological discipline, alongside additional laboratory experience (either in industry or academia). As a DNA Scientist, you will be responsible for:

* Supporting the process development and tech transfer functions with synthetic DNA projects.

* Validating and optimising various molecular biology (and potentially biochemistry) experiments to enable efficient product development and transfer to manufacturing. This may include: DNA handling, PCR, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, TFF, AKTA purification, DNA quantification (nanodrop / Qubit) etc.

* Optimise and improve processes within the DNA team, working alongside other teams including R&D and manufacturing.

* Record scientific data in accordance with company policy and presenting data to internal teams.

* Attending company / team meetings.

Skills and Experience Needed

The ideal candidate will have the following:

* BSc / MSc in Biology / Biochemistry and an additional 1+ year of laboratory experience gained in academia or industry (essential, equivalent experience okay)

* Must have proven experience in designing experiments and planning experiment schedules (essential)

* Prior experience in DNA and molecular biology, with experience in some of the following techniques: micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification (Spectrophotometry / Qubit / nanodrop), PCR, cloning, primer design (essential)

* Experience in Tangential flow filtration (TFF), capillary electrophoresis or AKTA systems would be an advantage (desired)

* Excellent attention to detail. (essential)

* Ability to work effectively in a team and individually (essential)

* Experience working in an industrial biological laboratory (desired)

The Package

As an up-and-coming Cambridge Biotech, our client is able to offer a competitive salary, progression options and benefits package including private pension