Senior Research Assistant - Cell Biology in London

About Relation

Relation is a sector‑defining TechBio company developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single‑cell multi‑omics from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure. We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. Relation is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.

The opportunity

We are looking for a drug discovery scientist with hands‑on experience in experimental design and assay development, data collection, analysis, and interpretation to serve as a Senior Research Assistant in Cell Biology within our growing drug discovery portfolio.

Day to day, you will:

• Design and execute cellular and biochemical assays to support drug discovery, including compound screening and profiling using molecular biology, cell culture, microscopy, and biochemical techniques.
• Maintain primary and immortalised mammalian cell lines, taking responsibility for sample tracking and quality control (QC).
• Monitor laboratory operations, including managing reagent stock levels, equipment maintenance, and adherence to good laboratory practice.
• Carry out data analysis and relevant quality assurance protocols.
• Communicate the outcomes of your work to team members and external parties through written and verbal reports.
• Proactively identify potential project issues and communicate proposed solutions to the team.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new technologies, workflows, and operational infrastructure.
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and incorporate new findings into research project planning and experimental design.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional colleagues across Biology, Machine Learning, Translational Sciences, Toxicology, DMPK, and related disciplines to help solve complex scientific challenges and accelerate programme delivery.

Professionally, you will have:

• Master’s degree in a Biological Science with 4+ years of relevant experience within a drug discovery function.
• Prior experience working within biotech, pharmaceutical, or CRO environments.
• Strong practical experience in cell culture techniques, including cell line generation.
• Ability to develop cellular, molecular biology, and immunological assays to characterise cell phenotypes, e.g. flow cytometry, RT‑qPCR, ELISA.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑content imaging instrumentation and software.
• Experience with “walk‑up” automated laboratory systems (e.g. liquid handling).
• Competence in data handling, curve fitting, and statistical analysis.
• Experience with industry‑standard record keeping.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to thrive in a collaborative, cross‑functional, matrixed environment.
• Highly motivated, scientifically rigorous, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving biotech setting.

Bonus experience:

• “Walk‑up” automated laboratory systems (e.g. liquid handling).
• Working with ‘omics experiments and datasets.
• Generating knock‑out/knock‑in cell lines using siRNA and CRISPR.
• Working in indications relevant to Relation (e.g. osteoporosis) and with a range of modalities beyond small molecules, such as peptides, ADCs, oligonucleotides, or targeted delivery approaches.

Personally, you:

• Are comfortable working in a matrixed environment, balancing multiple stakeholders and contributing effectively across teams.
• Take ownership of your work, proactively seek opportunities to contribute, and enable others to do their best work.
• Communicate openly and directly, give and receive feedback constructively, and handle challenging conversations with respect.
• Actively seek out diverse perspectives, build strong working relationships, and contribute to shared goals across teams.
• Embrace challenges with openness and resilience, set high standards for yourself, and strive to deliver meaningful outcomes.