Research Associate

Milton Park; England; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group life cover

Critical illness cover

Pension with 5% company contribution

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Company socials

Refreshments throughout the week

Team meals

Training and development opportunities

Flexible working opportunities

Cutting edge science experience

Job summary

Wild Bio, an Oxford University spin-out, is seeking a motivated Research Associate with a strong background in molecular biology to help run and improve our cloning pipeline. You’ll take constructs from in silico design through assembly, transformation and quality control to sequence-verified plasmids, and manage our gene synthesis pipeline.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes care over precise bench work, enjoys cross-team collaboration, and is keen to question established approaches

Qualifications

• A BSc/MSc degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific field, or evidence of equivalent work experience.
• At least one year’s experience in a molecular biology lab, covering the full cloning workflow: experimental planning, in silico cloning, primer design and PCR, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation and quality control, including sequence verification.
• A good understanding of the theory behind common cloning methods (e.g. Golden Gate, Gibson Assembly, or Gateway).
• Confidence with routine molecular biology calculations (e.g., buffer molarity, dilutions and DNA/RNA concentrations).
• Exceptional attention to detail and a high level of care when following SOPs and recording data.
• The ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment, building relationships and gaining trust through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.

Responsibilities

• Deliver cloning projects end to end, from in silico design and primer design through assembly, transformation and quality control to sequence-verified plasmids.
• Manage our gene synthesis pipeline, from designing and placing orders to tracking and verifying what comes back.
• Carry out core molecular biology tasks, including buffer and plasmid preparation and DNA/RNA extraction.
• Collect, organise and analyse experimental results, and maintain accurate records in our databases.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, help troubleshoot experiments, and write and review standard operating procedures.
• As the role develops, contribute to the design of our genome editing constructs, including sgRNA design, working closely with our genome editing scientists.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cloning workflow

Primer design

DNA/RNA extraction

Laboratory planning

Education

BSc/MSc in biology

Job description

Application Closing Date: 6 November 2026

At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on.

Wild Bio is a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art labs and offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are about to enter an exciting phase of growth and are looking for a driven and curious Technician or Research Associate to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in.

Our values:

Our work is guided by three core values that define who we are and how we approach our mission:

• Curiosity: We fuel our desire to explore the unknown, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and sparking innovation. We ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning.
• Community: We believe in the strength and support gained through collaboration and inclusion. As part of a global community, we nurture connections to drive meaningful impact for both people and planet.
• Courage: We face challenges head-on, take calculated risks, and stand up for our beliefs. Our bravery propels us to take action, even in the face of adversity.

If these values resonate with you, we invite you to join our team of passionate scientists and innovators working at the cutting edge of bioscience.

Job Description

We are looking for a motivated Research Associate with a strong background in molecular biology to help run and improve our cloning pipeline. You’ll play a key role in taking constructs from in silico design through assembly, transformation and quality control to sequence-verified plasmids, and manage our gene synthesis pipeline.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes care over precise and organised bench work, enjoys working across teams, and is keen to question established approaches to make our systems better.

Job responsibilities:

As part of our Trait Implementation team, you’ll keep our construct pipeline running smoothly. You will:

• Deliver cloning projects end to end, from in silico design and primer design through assembly, transformation and quality control to sequence-verified plasmids.
• Manage our gene synthesis pipeline, from designing and placing orders to tracking and verifying what comes back.
• Carry out core molecular biology tasks, including buffer and plasmid preparation and DNA/RNA extraction.
• Collect, organise and analyse experimental results, and maintain accurate records in our databases.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, help troubleshoot experiments, and write and review standard operating procedures.
• As the role develops, contribute to the design of our genome editing constructs, including sgRNA design, working closely with our genome editing scientists.

• Group life cover x 4 of base salary
• Critical illness cover x 4 of base salary
• Pension scheme with a 5% Company contribution
• Private medical insurance including dental and optical
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Regular company socials
• Complimentary refreshments throughout the week
• Team meals including breakfast on a Monday and lunch each Friday, creating opportunities for informal networking and team bonding
• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working opportunities
• Opportunity to work with cutting edge science

Location

We’re headquartered in Milton Park, a business and technology park in Oxfordshire. This is an on-site role, though we offer flexibility and hybrid working when possible.
The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The ideal candidate

• A BSc/MSc degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific field, or evidence of equivalent work experience.
• At least one year’s experience in a molecular biology lab, covering the full cloning workflow: experimental planning, in silico cloning, primer design and PCR, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation and quality control, including sequence verification.
• A good understanding of the theory behind common cloning methods (e.g. Golden Gate, Gibson Assembly, or Gateway).
• Confidence with routine molecular biology calculations (e.g., buffer molarity, dilutions and DNA/RNA concentrations).
• Exceptional attention to detail and a high level of care when following SOPs and recording data.
• The ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment, building relationships and gaining trust through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.
• A curious and courageous mindset: someone who enjoys trying new things and taking initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• A desire to develop your skills, share your knowledge, and support the growth of your teammates.

Disclaimer: Please note that job vacancies which are displayed on this website are only from companies based at Milton Park. The job description, recruitment process and subsequent employment offers are managed by and are the sole responsibility of the hiring company and are in no way connected to MEPC.

• 115K Olympic Avenue, Milton Park, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SA.

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