At a Glance
- Tasks: Isolate and sort cells from human tissues using advanced flow cytometry techniques.
- Company: Join Quotient Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech company focused on breakthrough medicines.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in genomics and contribute to innovative disease projects.
- Qualifications: BSc/MSc in biology and 3+ years of flow cytometry experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Quotient is seeking a Flow Cytometry and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting Senior Research Associate to join our High Throughput Platform team. The primary focus of this role is the isolation and sorting of cells and nuclei from human tissues to support downstream somatic genomics workflows, including DNA extraction and sequencing library preparation to support detection of disease relevant somatic variants. The successful candidate will work closely with our Flow Cytometry and Automation platforms to refine our processes and scale our Flow Cytometry operations. In addition, this position will provide growth opportunities to learn and contribute to disease projects across our histology and/or molecular workflows. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment, supporting delivery across prioritized workstreams with agility, positivity, and a proactive mindset. They will demonstrate initiative in solving problems, raising concerns, and driving improvements, while remaining committed to continuous learning, open feedback, and working beyond their comfort zone.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct cell sorting experiments to isolate specific cell/nuclei populations, with high purity and viability.
- Operate and troubleshoot flow cytometry and cell sorting equipment.
- Support the design and optimization of tissue dissociation and cell/nuclei isolation methods to meet project goals.
- Perform the preparation and dissociation of human tissues and cells.
- Perform nucleic acid extraction and sequencing library preparation.
- Work collaboratively with other team members across various functional areas.
- Maintain compliance with the Human Tissue Act (HTA) and COSHH regulations.
Qualifications:
Essential:
- BSc or MSc degree in a biologically relevant field.
- 3+ years' experience of flow cytometry (optimizing staining conditions, improving signal/noise, panel optimization, reagent evaluation).
- Working knowledge of the principles of cell sorting.
- An understanding of the maintenance, set up and troubleshooting of flow cytometry cell sorting equipment.
- Proficiency in flow cytometry data analysis software and automated analysis pipelines.
- Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and laboratory automation within flow cytometry workflows.
- Use of digital laboratory information management systems (Benchling preferred).
- Strong communication and collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced startup environment.
Desirable:
- Experience working within a flow cytometry and cell sorting facility.
- Experience in isolation and sorting of nuclei.
- Experience with optimization of tissue dissociation methods.
- Experience working with multi-colour antibody panels for flow cytometry.
- Experience and understanding of spectral flow cytometry, including unmixing and autofluorescence extraction.
- Experience working with automation and understanding of how similar systems can be applied to cell dissociation and flow cytometry sorting workflows.
- Experience with next generation sequencing library preparation and other downstream molecular biology processing.
- Experience working with digital productivity tools such as Notion, Trello or Jira.
- Experience using Benchling to create schemas, templates and automated workflows.
- Knowledge and experience of working under HTA regulations.
- Previous experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical industry setting.
Values and Behaviors:
- Encourage respectful disagreement and cultivate open-minded, ego-free interactions to continuously push each other towards excellence.
- Seek out diverse perspectives; practice active listening and genuine curiosity to ensure all contributions are valued, regardless of source.
- Recognize the impact of your behavior, language and attitudes, and strive for balanced, meaningful exchanges that enhance mutual growth and understanding in all interactions.
- Use a company-first mindset to guide decision-making; prioritize team over individual success.
- Take calculated risks and challenge convention in the quest for exceptional outcomes.
About Quotient: Quotient Therapeutics is a privately-held, early stage company developing breakthrough medicines informed by natural somatic genetic diversity present in patients. Through our work in somatic genomics, we are forging a new status quo for biopharma research and development across a broad pipeline of internal and partnered programs.
SRA, Flow Sorting in Cambridge employer: Flagship Pioneering
Quotient Therapeutics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth in cutting-edge somatic genomics projects, while being part of a culture that values open communication, diverse perspectives, and continuous learning. Located in a fast-paced startup atmosphere, team members are encouraged to take initiative and contribute to meaningful advancements in biopharma research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SRA, Flow Sorting in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your flow cytometry skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with cell sorting and how you've tackled challenges in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm for the role! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them know why you're excited about working in somatic genomics and how you can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our awesome team.
We think you need these skills to ace SRA, Flow Sorting in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the SRA, Flow Sorting role. Highlight your experience with flow cytometry and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've tackled challenges in the lab. We love candidates who demonstrate initiative and a proactive mindset, so let us know how you’ve driven improvements in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and skills. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Quotient!
How to prepare for a job interview at Flagship Pioneering
✨Know Your Flow Cytometry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your flow cytometry knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with optimising staining conditions and troubleshooting equipment. They’ll want to see that you can handle the technical aspects of the role with confidence.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've identified opportunities for process improvement in past roles. Quotient values initiative, so think about times when you’ve driven improvements or solved complex problems in a lab setting. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Workflows
Take some time to understand the specific workflows related to somatic genomics and cell sorting. Being able to discuss how your skills align with their projects will show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, be prepared to talk about your collaborative experiences. Highlight instances where you’ve effectively communicated with team members to achieve project goals, as this aligns with their company culture.