Research Assistant, Cell Type Development (Immune)

bit.bio is an award-winning spinout from the University of Cambridge. Our breakthrough technology combines synthetic and stem cell biology for the precise, efficient and consistent reprogramming of human cells used in research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. At bit.bio, we are passionate about engineering human cells that will enable the medicine of the future. To do this we need talented and curious people who want to make an impact on the future of science and therapeutics.

As a team of individuals, we value science, collaboration, openness, curiosity and creativity. We are united by trust and respect for each other.

Location: Babraham Research Park, Cambridge

Type: Full time, permanent

Start: Immediate

Salary: Competitive / Hours: 40 p/w

Lab based position

Your role in our team:

We are looking for a Research Assistant with a background in cell/tissue culture and subsequent characterisation, to support our efforts in the generation of a variety of cell types from pluripotent stem cells. We are interested to hear from all applicants who have a human cell culture background, and we would be particularly interested to speak with those who have experience in culturing human pluripotent stem cells (either Embryonic or Induced Pluripotent).

As a Research Assistant in Cell Type Development, you will work collaboratively between various Cell Type Development projects to perform and evaluate cell type specific experiments for new cell types either for commercialisation or clinical translation. This work will be performed under the management of a Team Lead within Cell Type Development who is overseeing the respective projects. This dynamic role will involve both tissue culture (hiPSC and cellular derivatives) and cellular phenotyping work, in collaboration with the Cellular Phenotyping platform. Specifically, you will contribute towards the development of protocols and subsequent SOPs for cell reprogramming, phenotyping, and characterisation as pertains to the team and the company’s current objectives.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Perform cell culture-based experiments under the direction of scientific leads across teams within Cell Type Development. These will be focused towards the generation and characterisation of specific cell types of interest from human pluripotent stem cells. Specifically, this work will focus within the immune space.
  
• Execution of phenotyping and functional assessment of the desired cell types under the direction of scientific leads.
  
• Analysis and reporting of experimental results, and the maintenance of an Electronic Laboratory Notebook system.
  
• Contribute towards the writing and testing of Standard Operating Procedures for the generation and characterisation of cell types.
  
• Continuing to refine and explore ways to assess and characterise cell types, whilst keeping up to date with key aspects of iPSC differentiation, media screening, and outputs.
  
• Seek and take responsibility in the management of daily and weekly workloads/tasks (in conjunction with the line manager). Highlight areas of risk and opportunities to improve the efficiency and expedient delivery of work and deliverables.

You…

• Have a minimum Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of biological sciences or equivalent.
• Are a good team player with an inquisitive mind and an ability to prioritise, organise and be responsible for your own workload and that of others.
• Will be looking for a stimulating working environment where you can engage with different working groups to independently drive research projects and actively contribute to projects of others.

With essential experience in...

• Proven practical experience in mammalian cell culture.
• Good theoretical knowledge and practical experience of methodologies to phenotype and characterise cells (e.g. gene expression, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry).
• Proven ability to communicate research/project outputs through written and oral communications.
• Ability to prioritise, organise and be responsible for multiple aspects of a project.

and possibly...

• Experience within the immune space - culturing of various immune cell types, primary isolations, characterisation, functional assessments etc.
• Record of contributing towards research articles or publications.
• Record optimising specific experimental processes.

More reasons to join us:

bit.bio provides a vibrant and dynamic work environment in an exciting, fast-moving time for biology. We work with cutting edge technologies and with our world-leading scientific advisory board. We conduct pioneering work with real-world impact.

We trust our people to make significant contributions early on with opportunities to be involved in projects that are key to the success and growth of our young company. We invest in people, creating opportunities for personal development in an inclusive multi-skilled team with ambitious goals that provide opportunities to learn on the job from each other.

Creativity and open minds are encouraged for everyone to contribute to the success of the company.