Research Associate – Aptamers & Biosensing

Stealth Startup - Deep Tech; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship

Job summary

Stealth Startup - Deep Tech in London, United Kingdom, seeks a hands-on Research Associate to develop aptamers and molecular recognition workflows for a next-generation sensing platform.

You will plan and run experiments spanning SELEX, PCR/qPCR, oligonucleotide handling and aptamer characterisation, collaborating with chemistry and biosensing teams to generate reproducible data and improve candidate performance.

Qualifications

• Independent wet-lab experience in biochemistry or molecular biology.
• Practical PCR/qPCR experience, including optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on aptamer preparation, folding or use, plus experience with at least one SELEX workflow.
• Confident DNA and oligonucleotide handling, concentration measurement, small-volume preparation and serial dilutions.
• Experience running and interpreting agarose and/or PAGE gels.
• Strong experimental design, data interpretation and documentation skills, with a methodical approach to troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Run and optimise SELEX workflows, including selection, amplification and enrichment.
• Perform PCR/qPCR, oligonucleotide preparation, gel electrophoresis and aptamer characterisation.
• Design experiments with appropriate controls and replicates, analyse results and troubleshoot inconsistent outcomes.
• Maintain clear experimental records and protocols to support reproducible work.
• Coordinate multi-step experiments and collaborate across chemistry and biosensing.

Skills

Wet-lab experience

PCR/qPCR

Aptamer handling

SELEX workflows

DNA/oligonucleotide handling

Aptamer characterisation

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Tools

Gel electrophoresis

PAGE gels

Job description

We’re seeking a hands-on Research Associate to develop the aptamers and molecular recognition workflows behind our next-generation sensing platform.

You’ll plan and run experiments spanning SELEX, PCR/qPCR, oligonucleotide handling and aptamer characterisation, working closely with our chemistry and biosensing teams to generate reproducible data and improve candidate performance.

About us

We’re a stealth, venture-backed deep-tech company developing a proprietary photonic sensing platform. We’re supported by a leading European venture fund, experienced health-tech investors and SPRIND, Germany’s Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation.

Our mission is to make molecular changes measurable through miniaturised, low-cost and low-power sensing technology, initially focused on healthcare.

Responsibilities

• Run and optimise SELEX workflows, including selection, amplification and enrichment.
• Perform PCR/qPCR, oligonucleotide preparation, gel electrophoresis and aptamer characterisation.
• Design experiments with appropriate controls and replicates, analyse results and troubleshoot inconsistent outcomes.
• Maintain clear experimental records and protocols to support reproducible work.
• Coordinate multi-step experiments and collaborate across chemistry and biosensing.

Experience and profile

• Independent wet-lab experience in biochemistry or molecular biology.
• Practical PCR/qPCR experience, including optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on aptamer preparation, folding or use, plus experience with at least one SELEX workflow.
• Confident DNA and oligonucleotide handling, concentration measurement, small-volume preparation and serial dilutions.
• Experience running and interpreting agarose and/or PAGE gels.
• Strong experimental design, data interpretation and documentation skills, with a methodical approach to troubleshooting.

Particularly valuable experience

• Randomised libraries, modified oligonucleotides, nucleic-acid purification or magnetic-bead selection.
• Cell culture and sterile technique, particularly for cell-SELEX.
• Aptamer characterisation using SPR, BLI, MST, fluorescence, ITC, QCM-D or CD spectroscopy.
• Surface modification, bioconjugation or protein handling.
• Sequence optimisation, binding kinetics, SELEX sequencing analysis or computational modelling.

Why work for us?

• Hands-on ownership: Develop the aptamers and workflows underpinning our platform.
• Real-world impact: Help build technology with the potential to change how health is monitored.
• Exceptional colleagues: Work with talent from Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial across sensing, chemistry and engineering.
• Supportive, fast-moving culture: Room to experiment, regular feedback and close collaboration.
• Competitive compensation and meaningful equity: A competitive salary and early-stage share options.

Location and application

London, UK. This hands‑on laboratory role will be primarily in person. Relocation support and UK visa sponsorship are available for exceptional candidates.