At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in developing innovative lentiviral vector technologies for cutting-edge cell therapies.
- Company: Akimbo Bio, a dynamic biotech start-up focused on revolutionary cancer treatments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private health insurance, and hands-on research opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a small, agile team with excellent growth potential in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in biotechnology while collaborating with passionate founders and scientists.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field with significant experience in lentiviral vector production.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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.
Role Description
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. Applications that do not address all of the requested information will not be considered.
Senior Scientist employer: Akimbo Bio
Akimbo Bio is an exceptional employer for those passionate about advancing cell therapy, offering a unique opportunity to work closely with the founders in a dynamic start-up environment. With a strong emphasis on scientific excellence and collaboration, employees benefit from hands-on involvement in cutting-edge research, competitive compensation, and private medical health insurance. The company fosters a culture of intellectual curiosity and creativity, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and meaningful contributions to high-impact projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biotech field, especially those who might know someone at Akimbo Bio. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Akimbo Bio’s projects and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss your hands-on work with lentiviral vectors and how you can contribute to their innovative CAR-T platform.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of challenges you've faced in the lab and how you tackled them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking and adaptability, which are key in a start-up environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Make sure to include all the required documents and tailor your cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar CV:Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight your relevant industry roles, publications, and any cool projects you've worked on. Keep it clear and concise, and don’t forget to tailor it to the Senior Scientist role!
Nail That Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Address how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for. Keep it to one page and make sure it reflects your passion for the role and our mission at Akimbo Bio.
Showcase Your Case Studies:We want to see your problem-solving skills in action! Prepare two case studies: one that shows off your technical competence and another that highlights your ability to tackle challenges. Keep them half a page each and make them impactful!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Make sure to attach all your documents in a single file under the 'Resume' section. If you hit any snags, just shoot us an email with your details and we’ll sort it out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Akimbo Bio
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in lentiviral vector technologies and CAR-T platforms. Be ready to discuss your previous research and how it relates to Akimbo Bio's focus. This shows that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in their work.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into your technical skills, especially around molecular biology techniques like qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. Practise explaining your past experiments clearly and concisely, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in your research and how you overcame them. Use the case studies you submit as a springboard for these discussions, highlighting your analytical thinking and creativity in problem-solving.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Akimbo Bio values collaboration and intellectual curiosity, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked in teams and contributed to a positive lab environment. Show that you can adapt to a start-up culture while maintaining professionalism and scientific excellence.
