Research Assistant / Associate Scientist - Molecular Biology

Epoch Biodesign; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology start-up in London is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate Scientist to perform laboratory tasks including PCR and DNA preparation. The ideal candidate will have strong molecular biology skills and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. This role offers 30 days of holiday, share options, and a flexible working schedule.

Benefits

30 days paid holiday

EMI Share Options

9% employer pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Flexible working hours

Onsite gym

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in molecular biology with excellent organisational skills.
• Hands-on experience with modern cloning techniques, especially Golden Gate and Gibson Assembly.
• Min. 3 years relevant time spent in industry/academia with practical laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform various laboratory-based tasks such as PCR, DNA preps, and bacterial transformation.
• Maintain accurate safety documentation and consumables stocks.
• Develop optimised workflows and procedures for efficient R&D activities.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cloning techniques

Organisational skills

Synthetic biology

Attention to detail

Education

B.S. degree

Tools

High throughput screening techniques

Liquid handling automation

Job description

Epoch Biodesign

Epoch Biodesign is a well-funded, venture-backed start-up using biology to make every type of plastic recyclable.

Using a unique combination of AI, synthetic biology and green chemistry, we arescaling enzymatic recycling processes to transform unrecyclable plastics into new sustainable materials and chemical building blocks. These processes yield substantial reductions in carbon emissions and prevent waste from entering landfill or the environment. They also generate disruptive unit economics, allowing us to scale our solutions quickly to solve this urgent challenge.

We’re already working with major players across polymer manufacturing, fashion and automotive, and are scaling up to our first demo production facility in 2025.

Find out more at www.epochbiodesign.com

The Role

As a Research Assistant/Associate Scientist at Epoch you will:

Perform various laboratory-based tasks such as PCR, DNA preps, bacterial transformation, DNA construct design and assembly, strain engineering, etc.

You will also be responsible for keeping up-to-date and accurate safety documentation, maintenance of consumables stocks as well as equipment maintenance logistics. You will have the opportunity to use cutting edge equipment and techniques in a friendly, supportive and energetic environment.

You will be involved in activities such as:

• Maintaining the smooth running of the laboratory
• Develop optimised workflows and procedures to allow efficient R&D activities
• Perform routine laboratory activities such as colony PCR, Sanger sequencing, cloning, DNA construct design, strain engineering, media and buffer preparation, etc
• Feed into the development of high throughput screening techniques
• Transfer of manual processes to high-end automation platforms and integrated workflows where needed
• Work together with other members of the team as well as other R&D teams including computational biologists, strain engineers and process engineers
• Help to build-out new experimental facilities in the laboratory to enable rapid generation and testing of enzymes
  
  
  

Essential Qualifications And Experience

• B.S. degree
• Strong technical background in molecular biology with excellent organisational skills.
• Hands-on experience with modern cloning techniques (Golden Gate and Gibson Assembly in particular)
• Background in synthetic biology, microbiology, or similar field
• Min. 3 years relevant time spent in industry/academia with practical laboratory experience
• A careful approach to lab work with meticulous attention to detail with excellent sterile technique
• Experience of writing laboratory safety documentation
• Ability to work across multiple projects/experiments simultaneously, collaborating closely with your colleagues
  
  
  

Cherries on the cake

• Experience of high value liquid handling or other automation platforms.
• Experience of recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience working with both bacterial and yeast microbial hosts
• Additional experience such as NGS, assay development/performance or other relevant techniques would be a bonus
  
  
  

The successful candidate must be able to start immediately and have the right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Epoch Biodesign’s head office is in London.

Benefits:

Epoch Biodesign offers a comprehensive benefits program. At the moment this includes:

• A generous allowance of 30 days paid holiday (plus the usual 8 bank holidays)
• Meaningful EMI Share Options
• A non-contributory pension of 9% employer contribution
• Optional company covered private medical insurance with Vitality
• Group Income Protection
• Group Critical Illness
• Flexible working around the core times of 10am to 4pm
• Cycle to work scheme
• The opportunity to be part of building something remarkable
  
  
  

On-the-job perks

• Complementary fresh fruit, coffee, tea and snacks
• Onsite gym
• Various staff social activities
  
  
  

And we are always in the process of reviewing and implementing further on-the-job perks!