Research Assistant – Functional Genomics (12-Month Contract)

剥污瑩潮; London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotech company in London is seeking two Research Assistants to join their innovative drug discovery team. This role involves executing molecular genetic experiments and collaborating within a state-of-the-art laboratory. Ideal candidates will have an MSc and significant experience in primary human cell culture, with a passion for impactful research in genetics and disease.

Qualifications

• Experience with primary human cell culture.
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques.
• Willingness to work in a start-up environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to execution of molecular genetic experiments and assay optimisation.
• Assist in laboratory operations including tissue culture maintenance.

Skills

Time management

Organisational skills

Teamworking

Attention to detail

Inquisitive nature

Education

MSc in relevant field

Tools

CRISPR/Cas

Electronic lab notebooks (ELNs)

Job description

About Relation

Relation is an end-to-end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single-cell multi-omics directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure.

This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting double collaboration with GSK to tackle fibrosis and osteoarthritis, alongside advancing our own internal osteoporosis programme. By combining our cutting-edge ML capabilities with their deep expertise in drug discovery, this partnership underscores our commitment to pioneering science and delivering impactful therapies to patients.

We are rapidly scaling our technology and discovery teams, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the most innovative TechBio companies. Be part of our dynamic, interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely to redefine the boundaries of possibility in drug discovery. Our state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, located in the heart of London, provide an exceptional environment to foster interdisciplinarity and turn groundbreaking ideas into positive impact for patients.

We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. Relation is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age. We cultivate innovation through collaboration, empowering every team member to do their best work and develop to their highest potential.

By joining Relation, you will be part of an exceptionally talented team, with extraordinary leverage to advance the field of drug discovery. Your work will shape our culture, strategic direction, and, most importantly, impact patients’ lives.

The Opportunity

Relation has an excellent opportunity for a Research Assistant to join an interdisciplinary, highly collaborative team of experimental and computational drug discovery researchers in our newly built, state-of-the-art functional genomics laboratory in London.

Large-scale genetic studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), have identified thousands of variants and loci associated with complex diseases. However, drawing meaningful disease insights remains challenging, as the vast majority of loci lie in non-coding regions of the genome with unknown functions. At Relation, we are generating proprietary large-scale datasets to accelerate the prediction of disease genes from these loci using state-of-the-art machine learning methods. We aim to identify the key effector genes, cells, and pathways involved in disease pathophysiology and predict potential drug targets for experimental validation using disease-relevant assays.

We have an exciting opportunity for two fixed-term Research Assistants to contribute to this endeavour. By joining Relation, you will be part of an exceptionally talented team, gain valuable new skills, and ultimately make a meaningful impact on patients' lives.

Your Responsibilities

• Contribute to the execution of large-scale molecular genetic experiments, including cell model characterisation, assay optimisation, and high-throughput screening.
• Assist in the smooth operation of a start-up laboratory, including participation in shared tasks such as tissue culture maintenance and cleaning.
  
  

Professionally, you have

• An MSc and experience with primary human cell culture.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas genome-editing approaches.
  
  

Desirable

• Expertise in cell assay optimisation, particularly with fibroblasts, endothelial cells, chondrocytes, or epithelial cells.
• Experience with electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
  
  

Personally, you have

• Willingness to operate in a start-up environment, including working to tight deadlines, adapting to changing priorities, and supporting laboratory operations.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong teamworking skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• An inquisitive nature, with a self-motivated approach and a desire to learn.
  
  

Join Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a company that is redefining how we understand genetics and disease risk. Your contributions will directly impact the development of transformative medicines for patients. Together, we’re not just conducting research—we’re setting new standards in machine learning and genetics. The patient is waiting.

Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer.

Recruitment Agencies

Please note that Relation does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Resumes should not be forwarded to our job aliases or employees. Relation will not be liable for any fees associated with unsolicited CVs.