Associate Scientist

Signatur Biosciences Ltd; Luik; Sur place; EUR 55 000 - 75 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Private medical insurance

Paid time off

4 weeks vacation + 12 compensatory day

Résumé du poste

Signatur Biosciences seeks a highly motivated Senior Technical Assistant to establish our Belgium laboratory facility in Liège. You will develop and maintain ISO13485 compliant procedures, generate data for diagnostic product development, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

You will conduct qPCR experiments, manage nucleic acid extractions, and ensure high-quality records. Prior startup experience and AI curiosity are a plus, with opportunities to grow in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or equivalent science degree required (biology, molecular biology, etc).
• At least 3 years of hands-on molecular biology lab experience.
• Experience with ISO13485 or similar QMS for IVD development.
• AI curiosity and ability to incorporate AI tools in daily tasks.
• Experience with nucleic acid extraction from FFPE blocks.
• Start-up industry experience preferred.
• Experience with automated PCR set-up and biobanking requirements.
• Experience writing study protocols per CLSI guidelines.
• Mentoring and coaching of lab team members.

Responsabilités

• Conduct qPCR experiments following protocols and study plans.
• Perform nucleic acid extractions and manage sample workflows.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation per QMS.
• Collaborate across teams and coordinate lab activities.
• Contribute to ISO13485 compliant processes and improvements.
• Mentor and coach lab colleagues and new staff.
• Translate study plans into detailed lab instructions/worksheets.
• Troubleshoot and investigate unexpected results and data.

Connaissances

PCR expert

Nucleic acid extraction

Lab record keeping

Team coordination

AI tools

FFPE extraction

Startup experience

Automated PCR setup

Biobanking

Study protocols

Mentoring

Coaching

Formation

BSc in Biology

Outils

i.DOT machine

Description du poste

Today, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions making them less accessible unless we do something about it.

Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world. Signatur Biosciences is a startup with a remote workforce, predominantly in London, UK, and is establishing a new laboratory facility in Liège, Belgium.

We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company, where employees think like owners, act with authority, and collaborate closely with one another.

We are seeking a highly motivated and driven Senior Technical Assistant to join our team to help establish our new Belgium laboratory facility (full time, on site). In this role, under the direction of the Head of Laboratory Operations, you will be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining all necessary procedures and process required for a state-of-the-art ISO13485 compliant laboratory facility and for the generation of data to support the development of next generation molecular diagnostic products. You will join Signatur Biosciences at an exciting time as we are a small start-up company looking to grow. You will be part of an expanding laboratory operations team but also interact with colleagues across the company who have the shared mission to make precision diagnostics more accessible. If you are a highly motivated and driven self-starter with a passion for novel diagnostics development, we'd love to speak with you!

About the role: As an Associate Scientist, you will be responsible for conducting qPCR experiments in accordance with protocols and work instructions to support research, development and manufacturing activities. You will play a crucial role in advancing innovative diagnostic solutions by performing molecular biology techniques, analyzing experimental data, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and accuracy.

Technical Expertise

Expert in PCR

Experience with nucleic acid extraction

Proven track record of timely and accurate laboratory record keeping

Experience in working collaboratively and coordinating laboratory activities

Skills, Experience & Attributes

Minimum Bachelor or equivalent Science degree in biology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or similar

At least 3 years of hands-on molecular biology laboratory experience (not including course work)

Experience working within a Quality Management System for In Vitro Diagnostic development (ISO13485)

AI-augmented mindset: comfortable adopting AI tools to accelerate day-to-day tasks; genuinely curious about applying emerging AI capabilities to scientific and operational challenges

Experience in extraction of nucleic acid from FFPE blocks

Previous start-up industry experience

Experience in using automated PCR set-up

Experience of working within biobanking requirements

Experience in writing study protocols following relevant international guidelines (e.g. CLSI)

Mentoring and/or coaching team members

Main Responsibilities:

People and Functional Development

Responsible for adherence to laboratory procedures to ensure a safe and effective laboratory environment

Assist in the sourcing, storage, handling and maintenance of records with regards biological samples in accordance with the relevant requirements

Be responsible for adhering to the work instructions and training for specific laboratory processes/equipment as a lab process expert

Contribute to the laboratory processes / procedures implementation in accordance with In Vitro Diagnostic development (ISO13485)

Support the Head of Laboratory Operations in the implementation and monitoring of metrics (Key Performance Indicators) of laboratory efficiency & effectiveness

Contribute towards the continuous improvement and operations of Signatur Biosciences

Training and coaching of laboratory team members

Project and Product Delivery

Contribute to the efficient translation of study plans and protocols into detailed laboratory work instructions/worksheets to enable laboratory execution

Conduct laboratory studies in accordance with work instructions and/or study protocols in support of research and/or product development projects including:

Performing qPCR experiments manually or using high-throughput liquid handlers (for example i.DOT machine)

Carry out nucleic acid extractions according to specified protocols or work instructions

Execute laboratory studies with a 1st time right mentality, leading by example

Document experiments according to the Quality management System requirements ensuring timely, neat, complete and accurate records

Contribute to, and where necessary take the lead in trouble shooting and investigations of unexpected results

Work proactively to ensure barriers to project execution are removed

Planning and Problem Solving

Sense of Urgency and Focus

Attention to detail & continuous learning

AI Curiosity & Tool Fluency

Compensation and Benefits at Signatur Biosciences include:

Competitive Base Salary (compensation will be based on experience level with requested qualifications).

Paid time off policy that includes: 4 weeks, 12 compensatory days

Private medical insurance

As we continue to grow, our benefits package will evolve. The benefits outlined above are accurate as of the job posting date.

Further information

Signatur Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.