Research And Development Engineer (Oxford)

An opportunity to join one of the UK’s most successful start-ups in scientific instrumentation and analytics. This company has developed and commercialised their Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) and Lentiviral vectors (LVV) analytical equipment. The R&D Engineer for Consumables will lead the development and continuous improvement of surface-coated slides, microfluidic chips, calibrants, and related consumables that are integral to the company’s advanced bioanalytical instrumentation. This role is an exciting balance of innovation-focused research and rigorous product development, with the aim of delivering transformative consumables that meet the highest performance, reliability, and usability standards.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, software, quality, and product management, to drive cross-functional projects. You will lead the exploration of new materials, manufacturing methods, and designs while ensuring seamless integration of consumables into instruments. This role requires strong leadership in research, creative problem-solving, and the ability to work across departments to deliver consumables that redefine industry standards. This role is based at the company’s Botley offices and supports hybrid working.

About the role:

• Innovation and Research: Spearhead the development of novel consumables, including surface-coated slides, microfluidic chips, and calibrants. Explore and evaluate new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes to advance consumables functionality and performance. Translate emerging scientific and technical trends into actionable R&D projects that align with product and market needs.
• Product Development: Define and evaluate key performance attributes of consumables, including shelf life, chemical and biological compatibility, and manufacturability. Develop and execute experimental plans to prototype, test, and validate new consumables. Ensure scalability and manufacturability of designs, collaborating with operations and external manufacturing partners.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work with hardware, software, and product teams to ensure consumables integrate seamlessly with instrumentation systems. Collaborate with quality assurance and regulatory teams to ensure consumables meet ISO standards, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations. Partner with production and supply chain teams to optimize manufacturing workflows and ensure reliable, cost-effective production. Serve as a liaison between research and engineering functions, ensuring alignment of consumables innovation with broader system architecture.
• Integration and Testing: Oversee the creation and execution of robust validation protocols, including functional, environmental, and stress testing. Drive troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA) for consumables-related performance issues, defining corrective actions. Establish processes for continuous feedback between R&D, production, and customer support to refine consumables performance.
• Documentation and Compliance: Author technical specifications, validation protocols, and user documentation for consumables. Ensure compliance with industry standards, including ISO 9001, and maintain accurate records for regulatory submissions.
• Leadership and Knowledge Sharing: Provide technical mentorship to junior researchers and engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Lead cross-functional workshops to share insights, research findings, and technical advancements. Act as a thought leader within the organization, driving creative solutions and promoting a forward-thinking culture.

About the candidate:

• MSc or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in consumables R&D, preferably in the life sciences or analytical instrumentation sectors.
• Proven expertise in developing surface-coated slides, microfluidic chips, calibrants, and related consumables.
• Strong background in material science, including surface chemistry, coatings, and polymer technologies.
• Hands-on experience with advanced fabrication techniques, such as injection molding, microfabrication, and chemical treatments.
• Proficiency in experimental design, prototyping, and data analysis to validate new concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary projects, ensuring alignment across R&D, engineering, and production teams.
• Familiarity with consumables design requirements, including shelf life, chemical stability, and biocompatibility.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards such as ISO 9001 and experience in preparing technical documentation.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a creative mindset for tackling complex challenges.

What they offer:

• 25 days annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays.
• Up to 7% employer matched pension contribution.
• Private health insurance from day one plus critical illness cover, income protection and life insurance.
• Give as You Earn and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes.
• The company offers the Enjoy Benefits Nursery Scheme to employees after 3 months, and new parents can benefit from up to 17 weeks fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, 4 weeks fully paid paternity leave, plus an annual allowance for emergency childcare.
• All employees receive access to LinkedIn Learning which offers thousands of courses to support their personal and professional development. The company also runs frequent training sessions on both hard and soft skills.