At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative microfluidic cartridges for at-home diagnostics.
- Company: Join Unravel Health, a pioneering startup transforming women's healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, and hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and ownership in product development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on women's health with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and hands-on experience with microfluidic devices.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Location: Slough, on-site relocating to London within a year | Compensation: Competitive salary | Start: Immediate. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Junior Microfluidics Engineer
Location: Slough, on-site relocating to London within a year | Compensation: Competitive salary | Start: Immediate. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Our mission
At Unravel Health we're bringing the capability of a lab into the home, which is where healthcare is heading.
We're starting with endocrine health, because for women the data on their fluctuating hormones is missing – from diagnosis to drug development.
We're building the hardware and AI to capture the longitudinal picture of the endocrine system that doesn't yet exist, and with it the tools to fundamentally change how women's bodies are understood, researched and treated.
We're a small company with a very experienced leadership team
- founding doctor with a background in biomedical engineering
- product founder previously from global brands
- commercial founder who scaled a healthtech company from our current size to IPO
- with fractional support from Royal Academy of Engineering professor and a biosensor academic whose work on Unravel's underlying IP has been published in journals including Nature.
Unravel already has research collaborators around the world.
The phase ahead, getting our first product into the hands of women, will be transformative not just for this company but for healthcare.
As part of the team that delivers it, you could do the most meaningful work of your career.
This is the moment to join.
What we are building
We are developing an at-home diagnostic to measure hormones and related biomarkers in saliva.
The role
We are looking for a Junior Microfluidics Engineer to join us and work hands-on across the full development cycle of our microfluidic cartridges, from CAD design through fabrication, assembly, testing and troubleshooting.
This is a bench-heavy role.
You will iterate quickly, and most problems will be solved by making something, testing it and working out why it behaved the way it did.
You will start by working closely with our microfluidic lead, and we expect you to grow into owning cartridge development independently over time.
Key responsibilities
- Designing microfluidic cartridges in CAD (Solid Works, Auto CAD, Fusion 360 or equivalent)
- Fabricating prototypes using 3D printing (SLA/FDM) and other rapid-prototyping methods
- Selecting polymers, films, adhesives and substrates, and investigating how they affect fluidics, bonding, surface properties and assay compatibility
- Carrying out surface treatments to control surface behaviour
- Bonding, sealing and assembling devices, and validating bond quality
- Designing and running fluidic tests
- Designing experiments to find the root cause of fabrication and fluidic failures
- Analysing test data, documenting experiments and reporting methods, results and conclusions clearly
- Feeding practical findings back into the next design iteration
Who you are
You are an engineer who is obsessed with building.
You have a track record of taking microfluidic devices through to a working prototype, and you learn fastest with something in your hands.
What draws you here is where the work lands: designs that reach real patients and help transform the way healthcare is designed and patients are diagnosed.
You want to see the things you make out in the world, not sitting in a report.
You bring high energy to a fast-paced bench, you focus on the details, you’re organised, you take initiative and you are excited about being part of an all-hands-on-deck startup.
- Must-haves
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microengineering, Materials Engineering or a related discipline
- Hands-on experience designing, fabricating and testing microfluidic devices or lab-on-chip systems
- Practical CAD experience (Solid Works, Auto CAD, Fusion 360 or equivalent)
- Hands-on experience with 3D printing or other rapid-prototyping techniques
- Experience with polymer/material selection, surface treatment and bonding/sealing of microfluidic devices
- Practical understanding of microfluidic flow, channel design, fluid handling and common failure modes
- Experience troubleshooting physical prototypes and using experiments to identify root causes
- Ability to analyse experimental data and report it clearly, with strong attention to detail and documentation
- Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small technical team
- Right to work in the UK
- Willingness to work on-site in Slough initially, and in London after the move
- Nice-to-haves
- Experience with diagnostics, point-of-care devices or biological samples
- Experience with injection moulding, laser cutting, CNC machining or other manufacturing routes
- Familiarity with design for manufacture and scaling a prototype toward production
- Experience with imaging or flow visualisation techniques
- Exposure to design controls, ISO 13485 or a regulated development environment
- Why join us
- Real ownership of a core part of the product, with the room to grow into leading cartridge development independently.
- Work on cutting-edge technology with direct, real-world impact on women's health.
- A fast-paced, hands-on team where your iterations show up in the next prototype, not months later.
- The opportunity to take diagnostic assays from concept through validation to market.
- Work on cutting-edge technology with direct, real-world impact on women's health.
- Competitive salary with EMI equity package
Unravel is an equal opportunity employer.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive team in which strong scientific thinking can thrive.
If you require any adjustments to the application process, please let us know.
We are not able to sponsor visas, so applicants require a right to work in the UK.
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Junior Microfluidics Engineer in London employer: Unravel Health
At Unravel Health, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Junior Scientist in our assay development team, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking technology that directly impacts women's health, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and hands-on experience. With competitive compensation and the chance to be part of a mission-driven company, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Microfluidics Engineer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Unravel Health. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Unravel Health!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Microfluidics Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Unravel Health that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Unravel Health.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Unravel Health does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Unravel Health
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Unravel Health. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Unravel Health's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Unravel Health. This shows your passion for the industry!