Research and Development Group Lead in Guildford

This is an exciting time at CelLBxHealth plc and our team in Guildford are looking for a Research and Development Group Lead. The R&D Group Lead provides scientific and operational leadership across design, development, optimisation and validation of novel molecular and imaging assays, supporting research, pharma services and clinical diagnostic programmes. This role brings early-stage R&D innovation with robust, regulatory-compliant assay delivery, ensuring the successful translation of novel technologies from methods development through to clinical and commercial deployment.

The role holds broad technical oversight across multiple assay modalities, including molecular workflows (DNA, RNA and methylation profiling of circulating tumour cells and cell-free DNA using technologies such as NGS and digital PCR) and imaging-based assays in biological samples. The R&D Lead directs experimental design, validation studies and data interpretation, ensuring all methods meet analytical and clinical performance requirements defined under ISO 15189:2022 and other applicable regulatory frameworks, while also establishing company-wide methods and SOPs that raise scientific and operational standards across teams.

Operating at the intersection of Scientific, Quality, and Commercial functions, the R&D Lead ensures the seamless integration of new assays into the company’s service portfolio, working closely with multi-disciplinary, often international, collaborators and pharma services clients. The role carries governance responsibilities spanning risk management, documentation, and regulatory compliance, including engagement with external bodies such as UKAS, MHRA, HTA, and CLIA.

The R&D Lead combines deep scientific expertise across molecular and imaging assay science with strong operational and people leadership, a results-oriented approach and the delivery of validated, high-quality assays that advance precision medicine and pharma services innovation.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Define and own the scientific strategy and technology roadmap for molecular and imaging-based assay development
• Set direction for the design, optimisation and validation of novel assay platforms, including molecular workflows (DNA, RNA, methylation profiling of CTCs and cfDNA) and advanced imaging assays (e.g., IF, FISH, multiplex panels), ensuring technical approaches are scientifically robust, scalable, and regulatory-ready.
• Own delivery accountability across a portfolio of development projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery against milestones, quality standards, and regulatory compliance, escalating and resolving risks at a strategic level.
• Oversee the Quality Management System compliance (ISO13485/ISO15189) and NPD governance for all assigned programmes, holding ultimate accountability for audit-readiness and regulatory defensibility.
• Represent R&D at a senior level in cross-functional forums, shaping decisions across Scientific, Quality, Commercial, and Operations functions to ensure seamless integration of new assays into the clinical and commercial service portfolio.
• Act as the primary scientific liaison with key clients, partners, and external regulatory or accreditation bodies (UKAS, MHRA, HTA, CLIA), representing the organisation’s scientific credibility and technical positioning.
• Shape commercial documentation impacting R&D deliverables (e.g., data transfer agreements, statements of work, master service agreements), ensuring scientific feasibility and deliverability are embedded early.
• Influence resourcing, prioritisation, and investment decisions across the department, balancing scientific ambition with commercial and operational realities.
• Help build, lead and develop a high-performing team, taking accountability for hiring, performance management and career development of direct reports.
• Lead knowledge-transfer and capability-building initiatives, ensuring critical scientific expertise is embedded and sustained across the wider organisation.

Education, Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Genomics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology or related life science discipline.
• Substantial industrial experience (typically 3+ years) developing, validating, and leading the deployment of molecular and/or imaging-based assays (e.g., NGS, digital PCR, IF, FISH, multiplex panels) in oncology diagnostics or translational research settings.
• Demonstrable experience leading laboratory workflows for patient-derived, low-abundance analytes (including CTCs and cfDNA), applying rigorous pre-analytical controls to maintain assay sensitivity and data integrity in complex, heterogeneous clinical samples.
• Established history of working within regulated environments, owning quality system compliance and clinical validation strategy for diagnostic assays, including preparation for regulatory submission, accreditation, and inspection.
• Deep, applied understanding of complex molecular oncology assay design, including amplification strategies, library preparation, target enrichment (amplicon and hybrid capture), and high-throughput sequencing platforms, alongside advanced proficiency with Illumina NGS technologies and digital PCR workflows.
• Expert applied knowledge of immunofluorescence (IF) and FISH assay chemistry, including probe/antibody selection and qualification, signal amplification, channel design, spectral separation, and crosstalk compensation.
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative image analysis principles (segmentation, object classification, intensity thresholding, algorithm validation) and phenotypic classification frameworks for rare cell populations.
• Ability to think ahead in a complex, fast-evolving environment.
• Adaptability, innovation and independent judgement.
• An eye for detail and commitment to high-quality data
• A flexible, can-do approach to the requirements of the job

Job Requirements:

Due to the nature of the role, our requirement is for this position to be Guildford-based, office hours, five days per week.

As a member of our highly skilled team you will receive opportunities for training and development and a competitive benefits package.

Please let us know if you require disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process so that we can work with you to meet your needs.

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