At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our R&D team to develop innovative electrochemical sensing technologies.
- Company: PentaBind, a cutting-edge biotech company focused on aptamer-based solutions.
- Benefits: Exciting projects, collaborative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work alongside experts in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team at top facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in diagnostics and wearable tech with state-of-the-art tools.
- Qualifications: Ph.D. in relevant fields and hands-on experience in electrochemistry or biosensor development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As a Scientist I, you will join our R&D team and play a key role in the development of electrochemical aptamer-based assays and sensor-ready aptamer assets. You will work closely with PentaBind’s aptamer discovery, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and machine learning teams to translate aptamer candidates into robust electrochemical sensing formats. You will help establish PentaBind's next-generation electrochemical sensing platform, translating AI-discovered aptamers into application-ready sensors for diagnostics, wearable technologies, and continuous molecular monitoring.
The position will offer outstanding opportunities to work on state-of-the-art high-throughput screening platforms, automation, and work at Imperial, the Translation & Innovation I-HUB, and the London Biofoundry. This role is ideally suited for a motivated experimental scientist who has practical experience in electrochemistry and biosensor development, with a passion for understanding how aptamer sequence, structure, electrode surface chemistry, immobilisation strategy, and assay conditions influence sensor performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, execute, and troubleshoot electrochemical assays for the evaluation of aptamer candidates.
- Perform electrochemical measurements using techniques such as square-wave voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance-based methods (e.g., EIS).
- Interpret electrochemical data and identify factors affecting signal amplitude, sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility.
- Optimise electrode surface chemistry, aptamer immobilisation, assay conditions, and sensor architecture to maximise analytical performance.
- Evaluate analytical performance, including sensitivity, selectivity, dynamic range, response time, reproducibility, and signal drift.
- Support the characterisation of aptamer binding, specificity, and kinetics using appropriate biochemical and biophysical techniques (e.g., SPR, GCI, qPCR).
- Perform established aptamer discovery and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays.
- Analyse and interpret experimental data, providing clear conclusions and recommendations to internal teams.
- Suggest your own ideas, formulate plans and strategy proposals to present to the senior management.
- Contribute ideas and experimental strategies to advance electrochemical sensing programmes.
- Maintain excellent documentation of laboratory work.
- Work collaboratively with the ML scientists, R&D, chemistry, and bioinformatics teams.
- Support efforts in intellectual property generation, including patents and publications in high-impact journals.
- Support the development of PentaBind’s proprietary portfolio of sensor-ready aptamer assets.
Qualifications
- Have obtained, or currently finishing, a Ph.D degree in biophysics, analytical chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a relevant discipline.
- Hands-on experience in electrochemistry, electrochemical biosensors, or sensor assay development.
- Experience with potentiostats (PalmSens, Metrohm, CH Instruments, Ivium, Autolab, or equivalent).
- Experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or assay development.
- Experience working with nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, or related biological systems.
- Strong experimental and analytical problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organisational, data-archiving, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- English language speaking, listening, and writing fluency.
'Nice to Have' Requirements
- 1+ years industry experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, biosensing, or a related industry.
- Practical experience developing electrochemical biosensors or affinity-based sensing assays.
- Experienced in biophysical characterisation of nucleic acid-protein or nucleic acid-ligand interactions (e.g., SPR) is a plus.
- Knowledge of aptamers, affinity reagents, or nucleic acid-based technologies.
About the Company
Read more about PentaBind, our culture and what to expect via the button below.
Scientist I in London employer: PentaBind Ltd
PentaBind is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the forefront of electrochemical sensing technology. With access to state-of-the-art facilities at Imperial and the London Biofoundry, employees benefit from collaborative opportunities across multidisciplinary teams, fostering innovation and professional growth. The company prioritises employee development and encourages contributions to cutting-edge research, making it an ideal place for motivated scientists looking to make a meaningful impact in diagnostics and wearable technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientist I in London
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at PentaBind Ltd, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
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We think you need these skills to ace Scientist I in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at PentaBind Ltd. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at PentaBind Ltd. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at PentaBind Ltd
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at PentaBind Ltd. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at PentaBind Ltd to drive research projects forward.
