Molecular Assay Development Scientist in Cambridge

About Us

We are a leading gastrointestinal health company delivering minimally invasive diagnostics to transform access to esophageal care. Our EndoSign test combines a simple, swallowable device with cutting‑edge laboratory biomarkers and analytics to detect esophageal cancer and its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus. Operating across the US and UK life‑science hub, with hybrid, remote and onsite teams, we are expanding our pipeline to address new high‑impact targets across gastroenterology and related fields. You’ll join a close‑knit team of experts in our field who collaborate daily to translate breakthrough ideas into real‑world solutions. At Cyted Health, every voice matters. Whether you’re in R&D, Commercialisation, Medical Affairs or Operations, you’ll have the chance to lead projects, influence strategy, and broaden your skill set across the company. We champion diverse backgrounds and perspectives, fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and innovate. If you’re inspired by purpose, motivated by challenge, and eager to make a meaningful impact on patient lives, we’d love to hear from you.

Person Specification

• BSc or MSc in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Science or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience in molecular biology techniques, such as NGS library preparations and sequencing, PCR/qPCR, nucleic acid extraction and assay optimisation.
• Experience working in a molecular laboratory or diagnostic/R&D environment.
• Familiarity with documentation processes including SOPs, validation reports and experiment records and understanding of clinical sample handling and molecular QA standards.
• Experience working to ISO15189 or other regulatory standards.
• Strong wet‑bench molecular skills with the ability to execute precise, high‑quality experiments.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accurate data generation and documentation, and strong analytical ability to interpret experimental outcomes and troubleshoot.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage workload across multiple projects.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per holiday year, plus public holidays
• Pension scheme
• An annual learning and development budget
• Medical insurance including dental and optical cover
• Life/critical illness cover
• Social events including Christmas and Summer parties
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Sabbatical 4 years of service

Job Summary

The Molecular Assay Development Scientist will support the development, optimisation and validation of molecular assays within Cyted’s new molecular R&D laboratory, with a key focus on next generation sequencing. Working under the guidance of the Molecular Assay Development Manager, this role will contribute to discovery research, experimental planning, wet‑lab execution, data analysis and documentation required to advance new biomarker assays toward diagnostic adoption. As a new laboratory, the role will be key to laboratory set‑up including equipment and assay validations, protocol development, and in shaping core working practices. This role will also be key in designing and carrying out laboratory experiments, evaluating new molecular technologies and methodologies, maintaining high‑quality molecular laboratory practices, and collaborating closely with R&D dry lab, project management, QA and clinical teams to progress assays through development stages.

Working Pattern and Location

The role is a full‑time position with a standard 37.5 hour working week. The role holder may be required to work flexibly. The Molecular Assay Development Scientist will be based within Cyted's molecular lab at Cyted’s Head Office, Ground Floor Building 3 Old Swiss, 149 Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom, CB1 7BX.

What you will be doing

• Perform wet‑lab molecular experiments to support discovery, development and validation of new biomarker assays.
• Assist in evaluating and implementing new molecular technologies in collaboration with the Molecular Assay Development Manager.
• Work closely with the dry lab team to plan experiments, generate data and interpret results.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory documentation including experimental records, validation plans, reports, SOPs and training materials.
• Support the optimisation of assay workflows for accuracy, reproducibility and cost‑effectiveness.
• Contribute to the translation of assays from R&D into diagnostic workflows, working with project management, QA and clinical operations.
• Maintain high laboratory quality standards, including adherence to molecular QA practices and preparation for audit and accreditation activities.
• Perform equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and reagent management in the molecular laboratory.
• Perform laboratory maintenance to ensure clean, safe, compliant and efficient laboratory operations at all times.

How we work

At Cyted, how we work is just as important as the impact we create. Our values shape how we collaborate, operate and support the clinicians and patients who ultimately rely on our diagnostics. As a Molecular Assay Development Scientist, you’ll bring those values to life through rigorous science, disciplined execution and a deep commitment to quality in everything you do in the laboratory. We care deeply about delivering accurate, clinically meaningful diagnostics, and for you, care means precision, reproducibility and scientific integrity. You’ll approach molecular assay development with attention to detail and a strong quality mindset, ensuring experiments are well designed, data is robust and documentation is thorough. From nucleic acid extraction through NGS library preparation and assay optimisation, your work will directly contribute to building assays that can be trusted in clinical settings. We expect you to own your science with confidence and accountability. You’ll take responsibility for executing wet‑lab experiments, supporting assay development, optimisation and validation, and contributing high‑quality data to multidisciplinary teams. Working under the guidance of the Molecular Assay Development Manager, you’ll plan experiments thoughtfully, interpret results critically and maintain clear, compliant records that support regulatory and diagnostic progression. We aim high. Cyted is growing, and with that comes the challenge of building new molecular capabilities from the ground up. As part of a new molecular R&D laboratory, you’ll help establish robust laboratory practices, support equipment and assay validation, and contribute to shaping core ways of working. You’ll support the transition of assays from discovery through development toward diagnostic adoption, balancing scientific ambition with practicality and robustness. You’ll be expected to dive deep. You’ll build a strong understanding of Cyted’s biomarker strategies, molecular technologies and assay workflows, working closely with dry lab, project management, QA and clinical teams. Whether evaluating new technologies, troubleshooting assay performance or supporting workflow optimisation, you’ll bring curiosity, structure and problem‑solving skills to complex scientific challenges. We encourage everyone to challenge and commit. You’ll actively contribute to scientific discussions, share learnings, and help improve protocols, documentation and laboratory processes. You’ll question assumptions, suggest improvements and support continuous improvement in assay performance, efficiency and quality, while committing fully to agreed approaches and project goals. And above all, we deliver. This role requires momentum, reliability and results. You’ll progress experiments efficiently, generate high‑quality data and support assay development milestones. Every experiment you run, every protocol you refine and every dataset you analyse strengthens Cyted’s ability to deliver innovative molecular diagnostics at scale. This is how we work at Cyted. If this is the environment where you do your best scientific work and want to grow your career in molecular assay development, we should talk.