Principal Scientist (Biology)

ZipRecruiter; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotech spinout from esteemed Oxford University seeks a Principal Biologist to lead assay development in pre-clinical programs. This role focuses primarily on lab work and offers a supportive environment with emphasis on work-life balance, competitive salary, and additional benefits such as share options and generous holidays.

Benefits

25 days holiday

Life assurance

Potential for shares

Target bonus

Qualifications

• PhD in cell or molecular biology with multi-year industry experience.
• Expertise in protein quantification assays required.
• Experience managing CROs for in vivo studies is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Leading assay development for pre-clinical programs.
• Performing molecular biology experiments.
• Collaborating with leadership and CROs on drug programs.

Skills

Protein quantification assays

Cell line maintenance

Nucleic acid transfection

PCR

qPCR

DNA/RNA extraction

Luciferase assays

Education

PhD in cell or molecular biology

Job description

Job Description

My client is a biotech spin out based on research from eminent Oxford University professors and East Coast US biotech founders. They have surpassed their milestones and investors are firmly behind their novel therapeutic approach.

They are looking for a Principal Biologist to join a team of 7 multidisciplinary scientists. You will take ownership of assay development in pre-clinical programs for disease targets in relevant cell and animal models. You’ll also help foster a culture of scientific excellence as they look towards Series A raise end of 2026.

Everyone manages their time accordingly and heavy emphasis is placed on having time to recharge and decompress. The urgency of developing new treatments shouldn’t mean you have to burn out!

This role is 80% lab-focused to start with, and you'll have one 1 indirect report. While you’ll wear many hats here this is what your day to day will look like:

• Leading the development and establishment of indication relevant assays
• Performing molecular biology experiments, including cell culture, oligonucleotide transfection, qPCR, luciferase assays and protein quantification techniques
• Contributing to drug program development through collaboration with CROs
• Collaborating with leadership to help evaluate disease indication opportunities
• Screening candidate compounds and helping to drive programs forward.

If you have these skills, we are excited to speak with you:

• PhD in cell or molecular biology with multi-year industry experience
• Track record of expertise in protein quantification assays
• Cell line maintenance and cell-based downstream assays including nucleic acid transfection
• PCR, qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction, luciferase assays
• Experience designing, overseeing or managing CROs for execution of in vivo rodent
• studies

Interested in finding out more?

This is a Principal Scientist permanent hire on site in Oxford. The salary range is £65,000 - £75,000 + target bonus, potential for shares, 25 days holiday and life assurance.

Atomic Talent is the agency handling this position, and we are happy to speak about this opportunity in the first instance via email ([e-mail]) or here on LinkedIn. We respond to everyone, so please apply even if you feel that you only hit 70% of the requirements.