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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our R&D team to support media formulation and mammalian cell culture experiments.
- Company: We're an innovative biotech company based in Oxford, focused on scientific advancement.
- Benefits: Enjoy health benefits, flexible hours, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a dynamic field while collaborating with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: BSc or MSc in a related field with 2+ years of hands-on lab experience required.
- Other info: Be part of a purpose-driven culture focused on sustainability and emerging technologies.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 37000 £ per year.
Job Description
Are you passionate about hands-on lab work and excited to support scientific innovation in cell culture and bioprocessing? We’re looking for a Research Associate to join a collaborative R&D team based in Oxford. This full-time role is a great fit for someone with experience in media preparation and mammalian cell culture, who’s eager to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced and evolving field.
About the Role
As part of the Cell Culture Media Development team, you’ll contribute to media formulation, support mammalian cell culture experiments, and assist in process optimization projects. This is an ideal opportunity for a technically skilled and detail-oriented researcher who enjoys working with precision and collaborating across disciplines to support emerging biotechnologies.
What You’ll Be Doing
Media Preparation:
- Prepare chemically defined and serum-free media from powder
- Track media components, batches, and lot numbers with precision
- Manage inventory and ensure traceability of media formulations
- Support experimental media development and optimization workflows
Cell Culture Support:
- Maintain and culture mammalian cells across batch, fed-batch, and perfusion systems
- Conduct metabolic studies and monitor cell health using assays for growth, viability, and productivity
- Contribute to the setup and maintenance of cell-based experiments
Process Development and Analysis:
- Support high-throughput screening for media and process improvements using DoE approaches
- Participate in bioreactor experiments and help ensure consistency across different scales
- Collect and analyze samples for metabolite profiling (HPLC, LC-MS, enzymatic assays)
Lab Operations:
- Maintain lab cleanliness and manage equipment upkeep
- Ensure compliance with SOPs, safety protocols, and documentation standards
- Share responsibility for out-of-hours cell culture maintenance
What We’re Looking For
- BSc or MSc in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and media preparation
- Familiarity with chemically defined and serum-free media formulations
- Basic understanding of cell metabolism and bioprocess development principles
- Proficient in data collection, documentation, and laboratory tools
- Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills
Ideal Traits
- Detail-oriented and committed to accurate record-keeping
- Organized, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively
- Collaborative, thriving in multidisciplinary team environments
- Adaptable and comfortable in a dynamic R&D setting
- Clear communicator, both in lab documentation and team discussions
Salary, Benefits & Location
- Salary: £30,000 – £37,000 (depending on experience)
- Location: Oxford, UK
- Benefits: Health benefits, flexible working hours, continuous learning opportunities
- Work Environment: Inclusive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture focused on scientific advancement and sustainability
Why Apply?
This is your chance to be part of a forward-thinking team focused on developing scalable, science-driven solutions in the field of cell culture and bioprocessing. Your work will contribute to the advancement of emerging technologies that support more sustainable and efficient production systems.
Media Development Scientist employer: Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Development Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in cell culture and bioprocessing. Being knowledgeable about current innovations and methodologies will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the biotechnology sector, especially those involved in media development and mammalian cell culture. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your hands-on experience with media preparation and cell culture. Highlight any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your collaborative spirit by sharing experiences where you worked effectively in a team. Emphasising your ability to communicate clearly and work across disciplines will align well with the role's requirements.
We think you need these skills to ace Media Development Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in mammalian cell culture and media preparation. Use specific examples to demonstrate your hands-on lab work and any projects you've contributed to in the past.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for scientific innovation and detail how your skills align with the role. Mention your familiarity with chemically defined and serum-free media formulations, as well as your ability to work collaboratively in a team.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your organisational and time-management skills, as well as your attention to detail. Mention any experience you have with data collection and documentation, as these are crucial for the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Convey your excitement about the opportunity to contribute to the Cell Culture Media Development team. Discuss your interest in supporting emerging biotechnologies and how you can make a meaningful impact in this fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and media preparation. Highlight specific techniques you've mastered, such as preparing chemically defined media or conducting metabolic studies, to demonstrate your technical proficiency.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working in a multidisciplinary team, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past projects. This could include discussing how you contributed to team goals or supported colleagues in achieving their objectives.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Given the importance of precision in this role, be ready to provide examples of how you've maintained accurate records and ensured compliance with SOPs in previous positions. This will show that you understand the significance of detail-oriented work in a lab setting.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to troubleshoot and optimise processes. Think of specific challenges you've faced in the lab and how you approached them, particularly in relation to media formulation or cell culture experiments.
