Associate Scientist - Cell Culture and Biotechnology

Open positions: Independent scientist (Ideally PhD graduate, but BSc or Master can work), Laboratory assistant, apprentice, or student. Apply to either role with a CV and cover letter by 21st June 2026: bioengineering@cellularreprogramming.tech. Any questions are welcome.

Location: Company (biotech startup) in a laboratory affiliated with the University of Cambridge.

Start date: 1st September 2026 (ideally).

Working hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (the working hours can be shifted).

Contract: 6-month probation period. Up to 18 months fixed contract, with the possibility of extension for up to several years.

About the role: The role is for a highly motivated scientist to lead a promising large-scale cellular biology screen in a small, early-stage startup aimed at innovating a technology for a novel therapeutic strategy, with applications in a range of diseases and health decline. A PhD in a relevant field is strongly preferred but the role can be adapted to fit scientists with a BSc or Master’s degree. The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out hands-on, lab-based work, including mammalian tissue culture, preparation of cell treatments, DNA cloning, as well as development and analysis of cellular and bioengineering assays (molecular biology). It is a full-time role, but part-time or flexible working hours can be discussed.

Ideal candidate background (but not a requirement): Vesicle biology, synthetic biology, mitochondria, or engineering of cellular organelles/molecules.

Responsibilities:

• The core responsibility will involve culturing mammalian cells and designing, performing, and analysing a cellular screening platform, which includes DNA cloning in bacteria, DNA sequencing, and cellular imaging and sorting.
• You will perform several types of cellular analyses, assay validations and optimisations, and experimental designs.
• Proactively shape the development of a novel bioengineering technology.
• Manage consumables, stock, and laboratory supplies, including other routine laboratory maintenance activities.
• Manage a continuous plan and log for the cell screen.
• Ideally, read relevant literature and use computational tools to inform the cell screen and assays.

Requirements:

• Be able to work 100% independently, sometimes with only 5 hours of in-person meetings per week. (Not a criteria for the laboratory assistant/apprentice/student role).
• Supervise the laboratory assistant (unless you are efficient enough to not need one).
• Research experience in sterile mammalian tissue culture and molecular biology techniques (including molecular cloning and DNA sequencing).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in biomedical science, genetics, bioengineering, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related scientific field.
• The ability to generate new ideas will be rewarded (PhD graduates are strongly encouraged to apply).
• High scientific rigour, proactivity, efficiency, and the ability to troubleshoot molecular biology experiments are crucial.
• Manage and document hundreds of samples while maintaining high accuracy, attention to detail, and organisational skills.
• Adhere to established procedures for all aspects of laboratory work, handle all samples correctly, and maintain all necessary data and records.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced setting, reach milestones with tight deadlines, and have a strong understanding of scientific research principles.
• Open, direct, and fully transparent communication, including about issues.

We cannot sponsor UK visas, unfortunately.

What we offer:

• Opportunity to intellectually shape a novel bioengineering project and continuously suggest optimisations to the cell screen.
• Your own lab bench in a laboratory affiliated with the University of Cambridge.
• Opportunity to make discoveries in a promising early-stage startup that can lead to the eventual development of a new generation of therapeutics that save lives.
• Performance bonuses if you reach milestones: Financial reward, equity in the startup and/or a long-term permanent position.
• The working hours can be adapted beforehand to fit your best performance (including non-standard working hours).

For more information on this role, please write to the following email address: bioengineering@cellularreprogramming.tech. Apply by sending a cover letter and a CV to the same email address, by 21st June 2026.