Principal Scientist

Singular: Building Brilliant Biotechs; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Singular: Building Brilliant Biotechs is seeking a Principal Scientist with deep expertise in primary hepatocytes and gene delivery to lead key cell biology programmes. This senior, hands-on role offers ownership and visibility within a growing multidisciplinary team.

You will bridge in vitro validation and in vivo development, contribute to proof-of-concept data, and shape project direction in a collaborative biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences or a related discipline.
• 5-10 years of experience in cell biology, gene therapy, or a related field.
• Experience handling hepatocytes or tissue-derived primary cells.
• Understanding of gene editing technologies and their application.
• Nice to have: CRISPR or related gene editing experience in primary tissues.
• Nice to have: Familiarity with CTA or IND-enabling activities.

Responsibilities

• Leading cell biology activities supporting gene therapy programme development.
• Designing and executing experiments using primary hepatocytes and other relevant cell types.
• Supporting outsourced in vivo studies and external research collaborations.
• Generating scientific data packages for internal decision-making and external partners.
• Providing technical leadership while remaining actively involved in laboratory research.

Skills

Cell biology

Gene therapy

Primary cells

Project ownership

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Tools

CRISPR

Cell culture

Job description

Principal Scientist - Hepatocyte Cell Specialist

You are an experienced cell biologist with expertise in primary cells, gene editing, and translational research. You enjoy taking ownership of complex scientific projects and generating the data that moves innovative therapeutics closer to patients.

You want to work in a highly collaborative biotech environment where your science directly influences programme direction, company strategy, and future growth.

We are partnering with an early-stage biotechnology company developing a first-in-class, non-CRISPR gene editing platform designed specifically for in vivo therapeutic applications. Having recently secured significant funding and identified its lead disease indication, the business is entering a critical phase focused on generating proof-of-concept data ahead of major future milestones.

As Principal Scientist, you will lead key cell biology programmes focused on primary hepatocytes and therapeutic delivery, helping bridge the gap between in vitro validation and in vivo development. This is a senior, hands-on scientific role offering significant ownership, visibility, and influence within a growing multidisciplinary team.

The Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading cell biology activities supporting gene therapy programme development
• Designing and executing experiments using primary hepatocytes and other relevant cell types
• Supporting outsourced in vivo studies and external research collaborations
• Generating scientific data packages for internal decision-making and external partners
• Providing technical leadership while remaining actively involved in laboratory research

About You

You are likely to bring:

• PhD in Life Sciences or a related discipline
• 5-10 years of experience in cell biology, gene therapy, or a related field
• Experience handling hepatocytes or tissue-derived primary cells
• Understanding of gene editing technologies and their application

Nice to Have

• CRISPR or related gene editing experience in primary tissues
• Familiarity with CTA or IND-enabling activities

Logistics

• On-site position based in Cheshire

If you are excited by the opportunity to help develop a novel gene editing platform and play a key role in shaping the future of an ambitious biotechnology company, we'd love to hear from you.