Senior Scientist in Oxford

Akimbo Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation in vivo lentiviral vector technologies to enable safer and more effective cell therapies. Our initial focus is the development of an improved CAR-T platform incorporating a novel T cell receptor-based control mechanism designed to function as a "brake" in healthy tissues while acting as an "accelerator" against cancerous tissue.

Founded by two scientific founders, Akimbo Bio is currently a team of four and is expanding to six as we continue to build our platform and capabilities. As an early team member, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful scientific and strategic impact, working directly alongside the founders on core technology development.

We are building a company culture that combines the agility of a start-up with a commitment to scientific excellence, professionalism, and creativity. We value rigorous thinking, collaborative problem solving, intellectual curiosity, and the freedom to explore ideas that can advance the future of cell therapy.

This is a full-time, on-site role for a Senior Scientist to join our team, in order to work on in-vivo lentiviral vector development, production and characterisation. This is a hands-on laboratory role suited to someone who enjoys experimental work, problem-solving, and contributing to the development of robust, well-documented scientific programs.

The roles will initially involve:

• Generating multiple productions of lentivirus in suspension HEK utilising novel envelopes;
• Studying retargeting in time-series post-transduction of cancer cell lines, PBMCs and whole blood;
• Performing extensive QC on viral preps and transduced products using qPCR, dPCR, ELISA, WB;
• Optimising titres using different production systems and increasing full:empty capsid ratio;
• Optimising chromatography protocols for purifying lentiviral products in the context of novel envelopes.

As the role develops past the early research phase of the company, the Senior Scientist will be expected to continually re-evaluate how the experimental work can translate to scaled-up processes for GMP batch production, and consider how different therapeutic payloads may impact manufacture.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyse, and interpret experiments related to lentiviral vector production and characterisation.
• Engineer and evaluate novel envelope glycoproteins and pseudotyping strategies to enhance tissue tropism, transduction efficiency, biodistribution, and immune evasion.
• Design and characterise envelope variants and targeted lentiviral delivery systems using rational design approaches.
• Develop and optimise downstream purification processes for lentiviral vectors, including chromatography, concentration, and formulation strategies.
• Establish analytical workflows to assess vector quality, potency, purity, infectivity, aggregation, and stability.
• Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture, including suspension and adherent systems.
• Apply molecular biology techniques to support vector development and analytics.
• Generate high-quality data with rigorous documentation and attention to detail.
• Maintain laboratory standards, including equipment calibration, troubleshooting, and general lab upkeep.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to support project timelines and scientific goals.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and scientific advances in gene therapy, viral vector engineering, and immunology.

Required Skills and Experience

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Virology, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related field with 5+ years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral experience.
• Significant hands-on experience with lentiviral vector production (flask-scale) and characterisation i.e. physical / infectious / functional titration.
• Significant experience with engineering lentiviral vector envelope proteins.
• Strong mammalian cell culture experience, including culturing primary (immune) cells.
• Molecular biology skillset, including qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting.
• Experience with flow cytometry.
• Proven ability to independently plan experiments and critically interpret results.
• Excellent time management, organisational skills, and commitment to rigorous laboratory standards and documentation.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of downstream processing techniques such as ion exchange chromatography and tangential flow filtration (TFF).
• Familiarity with laboratory automation platforms (e.g. QIAcube, QIAgility).
• Experience with digital PCR (dPCR).
• Understanding of tech transfer towards GMP-ready processes.

What We Offer

• A collaborative, science-driven environment.
• Hands-on involvement in the development and optimisation of lentiviral vector workflows.
• Opportunities to contribute meaningfully to high-impact research and development programs.
• Compensation: Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum.
• Private medical health insurance including allowances for dental cover.

Application Process

Call open on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications received before 14th June 2026 will be subject to an early review process in consideration for interviews beginning on 22nd June 2026. Candidates can expect three rounds of interviews, each of approximately 30 minutes, all scheduled within a 2 week timespan:

• Interview 1: Semi-structured; focused on company fit & prior relevant experience.
• Interview 2: Semi-structured; focused on technical skills & ability to execute.
• Interview 3: Presentation-based; focused on scientific creativity & thought process.

Documents required at the point of application:

• Curriculum vitae, including industry roles, publications/pre-prints, patents, grants, conference talks etc.
• Cover letter addressing relevant qualifications/skills (1 page maximum).
• 2 case studies (half page each) - 1 illustrating technical competence & 1 illustrating problem solving capability.

Please apply through the LinkedIn Job Easy Apply Application portal, and attach all of the above information in a single file (under the 'Resume' section) which you should upload. In the event of technical difficulties, send documents by email, clarifying your name and the job title applied to in the email title (as we are conducting simultaneous hires). Applications that do not address all of the requested information will not be considered.