Junior Scientist

Job Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

Job Type: Full time, permanent

Job Salary: £30-35k plus potential for bonus

Job Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank hols, extra day off for birthday, pension, private healthcare, access to fresh fruit, biscuits and hot drinks, coffee mornings

The Company:

We are currently working with an exciting life science company who develop new gene therapies to treat various genetic diseases. They specialise in identifying and optimizing new gene therapy vectors for therapeutic development. They are a relatively new team with people specializing in bioinformatics, virology, immunology, synthetic biology and genetics. They share a commitment to succeed in their mission to develop new therapies for patients who desperately need them through collaboration and scientific excellence.

The company are new but have an established sister company with whom they share office and lab space with, as well as excellent investment and funding. This is an exciting opportunity for a BSc or MSc Life Science graduate to join at a crucial time in the company’s journey. They are a small welcoming team with a passion for science (and their regular coffee and cake mornings!).

The Role:

The company are looking for a highly motivated, self-starter with an interest in molecular biology / virology to join their team as a Junior Scientist. This is a unique opportunity to launch your career in scientific research as part of a highly skilled, founding team at the start of a new venture. The role will include the following:

• General hands-on laboratory work across the research team
• Supporting the execution of cutting-edge research projects
• Sample processing, testing and analysing experimental outputs
• Accurate record keeping ensuring scientific rigour

Job Requirements:

• A BSc or MSc in Molecular Biology, Virology, Biotechnology, Immunology, Biochemistry or similar discipline, 2:1 or above
• Hands on Laboratory experience in areas such as mammalian tissue culture, molecular biology, microbiology (e.g. DNA / RNA extraction, PCR, restriction cloning, transfections, cell line cultures etc.)
• Strong team player and is highly motivated, shows initiative and is adaptable to work across different laboratory areas
• Can work independently in an organise and methodical way, with strong IT and problem-solving skills
• If someone has worked with viruses or virus production, purification and titration methods then that’s a bonus!
• Ideally someone who lives in a commutable distance to Oxford