Research Scientist — RNA Therapeutics

One Nucleus; Town of Cambridge; On-site; AUD 96,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and pension

Share option scheme

Training and guidance

Cross-functional team

Job summary

Spliceor, a Cambridge-based biotech spin-out, is seeking a scientist to join the laboratory and lead experimental work on core RNA constructs. This hands-on role focuses on designing gene expression vectors, running mammalian cell culture, and generating data to move the programme forward.

You will collaborate across the small team, contribute ideas, and document findings clearly. The role offers salary and pension, training, and potential share options, with opportunities to impact early-stage

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in RNA biology, gene expression, molecular biology or related field.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and gene expression studies.
• Experience designing gene expression vectors and advanced molecular cloning methods.
• Ability to design, run, troubleshoot and interpret experiments with good record-keeping.
• Strong communication and collaborative working style.

Responsibilities

• Design and build gene expression constructs and RNA vectors.
• Run mammalian cell culture and transfection experiments.
• Analyse and interpret data and present it to the team.
• Build assays from the ground up and troubleshoot.
• Keep clear, reproducible records of what you did and found.
• Contribute to grant reports, patent filings and publications.

Skills

RNA biology

Mammalian cell culture

Data interpretation

Clear documentation

Collaborative work

Education

Doctorate in RNA biology or related field

Tools

Gibson assembly

Golden Gate

Job description

Spliceor is a University of Cambridge spin-out, backed by venture funding.

We are building next-generation programmable RNA technology to treat cancer and inflammatory conditions in new ways.

One of the biggest challenges in building programmable RNA technologies is control. A treatment delivered to the chosen destination, can also end up in non-target tissues and cells. We build that control into the medicine itself, so it only acts inside the cells it is meant to treat, avoiding off-target effects, and enabling multi-dosing.

We are a small team, where everyone inputs into experimental design, execution and interpretation. Being a start-up, we have the agility to make decisions quickly, keeping the gap between having an idea and testing it to a minimum.

The role

We are looking for a scientist to join the laboratory and take ownership of experimental work on our core RNA constructs. This is primarily a hands-on laboratory-based role.

Whilst we are primarily looking for a Research Scientist seniority of the role may be tailored depending on ability and experience and title and responsibilities accordingly.

You will design and build vectors, run experiments in mammalian cells, and generate data that moves the programme forward. You will work closely with the rest of the team, and you will be encouraged to contribute your ideas, not just conduct experiments.

What you will do

• Design and build gene expression constructs and RNA vectors.
• Run mammalian cell culture and transfection experiments.
• Analyse and interpret data and present it to the team.
• Build assays from the ground up, troubleshooting them along the way.
• Keep clear, reproducible records of what you did and what you found.
• Contribute to grant reports, patent filings and publications.

The impact you can have

In a startup of this size, one piece of data can change the direction of the science. This is a great opportunity to have real impact in a growing company, with personal visibility, and take on a stimulating, varied role.

What we are looking for

Ideally you will bring:

• A doctorate in RNA biology, gene expression, molecular biology, synthetic biology, or a closely related subject.
• Strong hands-on experience of mammalian cell culture and of the molecular biology behind gene expression studies.
• Skill in designing gene expression vectors, and experience of advanced molecular cloning (for example Gibson assembly or Golden Gate).
• A proven ability to design, run, troubleshoot and interpret your own experiments, and to keep clear records of them.
• Clear communication, and a genuinely collaborative way of working.

Also useful, though not essential:

• A deep understanding of RNA biology: how RNA is processed, how stable it is, how it is translated, and how all of that is regulated.
• Experience of in vitro transcription of RNA.
• Experience of qPCR, Western blotting, and plate-based assays such as ELISA and luminescence readouts.
• A publication record, or an industry track record, in RNA biology or a related field.
• Experience of flow cytometry workflows and/or quantitative cell imaging methods.

What we offer

• Salary and pension, with level dependent on experience
• A cross-functional team: you will work directly with people who have run businesses in pharma and biotech, and with people who have spent careers doing the science in industry.
• A supportive working environment, where you will be given all appropriate training and guidance to thrive in the role.
• Broad learning. You will see the commercial side of a company and understand how decisions are made as well as having the opportunity to expand your laboratory skills and experience
• You will be eligible to participate in our employee share option scheme

Where you will work

Our laboratory and offices are in the Live Labs institute space on the Babraham Research Campus, just south of Cambridge.

The campus is one of the largest clusters of early-stage life science companies in the United Kingdom, with shared scientific facilities, a regular seminar programme, and a substantial research community on site.

There is free parking, a regular bus service from Cambridge city centre and the railway station, and cafés and a gym on site.

Spliceor is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from every background, and we are happy to discuss adjustments at any stage.