Senior Scientist (PCR team) in Warrington

Yourgene Health is a leading integrated technologies and services business, enabling the delivery of genomic medicine. The group works in partnership with global leaders in DNA technology to advance diagnostic science. Our mission to enable scientific advances to positively impact human health remains at the core of our focus. It drives and motivates us to develop class leading products and services to meet our customers' needs.

Yourgene primarily develops, manufactures, and commercialises simple and accurate molecular diagnostic solutions for reproductive health, precision medicine and infectious diseases. We have a comprehensive offering of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) NGS workflows that have been built with labs in mind, and clinical prenatal screening services. The IONA test was the pioneer, the first to market as an IVD product, changing the NIPT screening landscape back in 2015. Continuing to build on our expertise in cell-free DNA, our next generation size selection Ranger Technology uses machine vision for superior precision.

In addition, we offer a portfolio of screening products in reproductive health, precision medicine and infectious disease including screening assays for cystic fibrosis and DPYD genotyping to prevent chemotoxicity. Yourgene Genomic Services provides a range of genetic analysis services for our clinical, research and pharma customers to support partners with DNA extractions, biobanking, genotyping, arrays and sequencing workflows (WES and WGS). Yourgene Genomic Services offers a Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Service, enabling clinics to run their own NIPT service for pregnant women with our prenatal screening tests and service laboratory based in Manchester.

Yourgene Health is part of the Novacyt group of companies and is headquartered in Manchester, UK with facilities in Singapore and Canada.

Our Culture: Yourgene is a growing, vibrant and exciting place to work, we are looking for committed driven individuals to be part of our next growth journey. Our culture is described by our employees as collegiate, friendly, professional, innovative, open and fast paced. We have many social and wellbeing initiatives run by our Nova Social and Charity Huddle that keep our sense of community and togetherness alive. At Yourgene we focus on putting values led programmes in place to ensure that we can attract, retain and develop our people. We want our people to have a career with Yourgene and we ensure that they are recognised and rewarded for their achievements and commitment, everyone plays a critical role in our growth journey.

Description of role: Yourgene Health, part of the Novacyt Group, are recruiting for a Senior Scientist within our PCR Diagnostics Team based at Manchester Science Park. The Senior Scientist will work alongside the PCR Team Leader to lead the tactical delivery and development of PCR based in vitro diagnostic products and services.

Overall responsibility: The Senior Scientist will provide scientific expertise and technical leadership on development projects ensuring tactical planning is performed effectively and consider problems at a system level. In addition, the Senior Scientist will design and develop in vitro PCR diagnostic products/services for use in a range of applications to high quality and in a timely fashion. The scope will include PCR products developed in line with ISO 13485 and IVDR regulations.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Perform laboratory based technology development using molecular biology techniques including PCR and qPCR.
• Independently design and execute experimental laboratory procedures.
• Work collaboratively with others in the team, troubleshooting issues and suggesting next steps to resolve these whilst maintaining an innovative spirit.
• Analyse experimental results, providing detailed conclusions and identifying technical solutions.
• Effective management of required documentation in accordance with company Quality Management System and ISO 13485 regulations.
• Provide scientific expertise and technical leadership on projects, as well as planning tactical delivery in functional area.
• Lead and participate in activities requiring cross functional collaboration, including leading complex projects.
• Support the resource planning activities of Team Leaders and Project Leaders.
• Provide expertise into the creation, maintenance and improvement of overall process SOPs, process flows, standardized plans & reports.
• Ensure planning and reporting of studies and work-packages is accurate and detailed.
• Design effective and efficient studies involving accurate, efficient and timely documentation.
• Developing and implementing protocols to show that tests meet acceptance criteria.
• Data generation, ensuring integrity and organized data management.
• Provide accurate, concise and independent data interpretation, factoring in systems-level thinking.
• Determining test parameters, such as output specifications.
• Meeting regulatory or other requirements.
• Lead troubleshooting activities when technical issues arise.
• Support the development of external relationships, including through for example, grant applications, KOLs and partners.
• Support the identification of commercially and technically useful solutions for development.
• Ensure own work meets regulatory & quality requirements (including compliance to SOPs, documentation using lab books, study plans, study reports and integrity of data).
• Ensure own work and that of junior staff is performed in line with company goals.
• Provide support and guidance to junior staff.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Degree or further degree in a life science such as molecular biology, biochemistry or genetics.
• Typically 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in the development, verification and validation of molecular diagnostics assays in adherence with CE marking and/or Design Control Regulations, ideally within IVDR and ISO 13485 regulations.
• Hands on experience with PCR based assays including proficiency in primer and probe design and the use of Bioinformatics software (e.g. Geneious or equivalent).
• Experience with a range of PCR assay types including qPCR, dPCR and isothermal PCR.
• Analysis of data and interpretation of results.
• Capable of independently performing experimental design and execution.
• Enthusiasm, drive, thoroughness, diligence and a willingness to take personal responsibility to ensure that projects are successful.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills and thrives on working to tight deadlines.
• Can summarize scientific data in written form to effectively communicate plans, progress and ideas with Management, Peers or External Audiences.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite and use of the statistical analysis software, JMP.

Equal opportunities: Yourgene Health and the Novacyt Group of companies provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.