Research Associate, Assay Development

OraSure Technologies, Inc.; Oxford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Insurance

Life Insurance

Pension scheme

Paid time off

Maternity Leave and Parental Leave

Job summary

Sherlock Biosciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of OraSure Technologies, invites applications for a Research Associate, Assay Development in the UK. The role operates from Cambridge or Oxford, performing defined molecular biology and analytical_lab work under supervision to support assay feasibility, optimisation and transfer.

You will contribute to PCR/qPCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, and nucleic acid handling while ensuring compliant documentation and data integrity in a regulated diagnostics setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical laboratory training and experience.
• Master's degree or postgraduate training in related field.
• Experience in molecular diagnostics, life sciences or regulated environments.
• Accurate pipetting and routine laboratory calculations.
• Experience with PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, LAMP and related techniques.
• Data-recording and basic data-analysis skills; follow SOPs and quality expectations.
• Familiarity with ELNs, LIMS and QMS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Conduct defined molecular biology and wet-lab experiments per protocols.
• Perform assay-development activities such as PCR, RT-PCR and isothermal setups.
• Prepare, label, aliquot, store and manage reagents, samples and consumables.
• Support feasibility, development, verification, validation and transfer activities.
• Follow contamination-control and biosafety requirements; maintain organized workspace.
• Generate data summaries and escalate anomalies as needed.
• Communicate progress to supervisor and collaborate with R&D teams.
• Participate in project meetings and troubleshooting discussions.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

PCR

qPCR

RT-PCR

LAMP

Nucleic acid handling

Biosafety

Education

Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical science or relevant discipline

Master's degree or postgraduate training

Tools

ELNs

LIMS

QMS platforms

Controlled document systems

Job description

Sherlock Biosciences based out of Cambridge and Oxford, UK, is a wholly owned subsidiary of OraSure Technologies Inc. (OTI), and enables the democratization and decentralization of testing to personalize healthcare and make an impact on global health. OTI empowers the global community to improve health and wellness by providing access to accurate, essential information. Our ability to positively affect change is powered by the innovative tools and diagnostics we deliver to the market.

Together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, OTI provides its customers with end-to-end solutions.

Overview

Here at OTI our innovative sampling tools and diagnostics unlock access to accurate, essential information that advances global health and well-being. Our products include molecular sampling kits for the genome and microbiome, and rapid diagnostics for infectious disease.

The Research Associate, Assay Development supports the development of rapid nucleic acid amplification-based molecular diagnostic assays by performing defined molecular biology, biochemical and analytical laboratory activities under the supervision of Scientists and senior team members. The role contributes to feasibility, optimisation, verification, validation and transfer activities by generating reliable experimental data, maintaining accurate records and supporting well-controlled workflows within a regulated molecular diagnostics environment.

This position is suitable for candidates at the start of their scientific career, including graduates or postgraduates, or candidates with equivalent practical laboratory training or experience. Prior industrial molecular diagnostics experience is desirable but not required.

The postholder will work under supervision initially, following defined protocols, SOPs, work instructions, laboratory safety requirements and experimental plans. As competence develops, the postholder may take increasing responsibility for daily laboratory organisation, routine technical observations, draft data summaries and contribution to troubleshooting discussions. Training will be provided for company-specific procedures, equipment, documentation systems, biosafety expectations and quality-system requirements.

Snapshot Of Responsibilities

Experimental execution

• Conduct defined molecular biology, biochemical and wet-laboratory experiments in accordance with approved protocols, SOPs, work instructions, safety requirements and experimental plans
• Perform assay-development activities such as PCR, RT-PCR, isothermal amplification setup, primer-mix preparation, nucleic acid handling, target addition, serial dilutions and reagent preparation, as trained and authorised
• Prepare, label, aliquot, store and manage reagents, samples and consumables; check lot numbers, expiry dates, storage conditions, sample identifiers and required controls before use
• Support assay feasibility, optimisation, development, verification, validation and transfer activities under the direction of senior team members

Workflow control, safety and laboratory organisation

• Follow contamination-control practices appropriate for nucleic acid amplification workflows, including designated work areas, PPE, controls, consumables and unidirectional workflow principles where applicable
• Handle clinical specimens and biological materials in accordance with applicable biosafety and containment requirements, including use of a Class II microbiological safety cabinet where required and appropriately trained
• Maintain an organised laboratory workspace and support equipment checks, stock management, consumable preparation, housekeeping and safe waste disposal

Data recording, analysis and escalation

• Generate, collect, analyse and summarise experimental data with guidance from senior colleagues
• Maintain complete, accurate, attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original and accurate records in the electronic laboratory notebook and other controlled systems
• Perform routine calculations and basic analysis, including dilution calculations, concentration calculations, preparation volumes, tabulation of results, basic graphical summaries and simple statistical summaries
• Promptly escalation anomalies, unexpected or ambiguous results, suspected sample/reagent issues, deviations, data-integrity concerns, quality issues and safety concerns

Communication and collaboration

• Communicate experimental progress, results, constraints and technical observations clearly to the supervisor and project team
• Contribute to assigned activities across assay development projects and collaborate effectively with colleagues within R&D and other functions
• Participate constructively in project meetings, laboratory discussions, training activities and troubleshooting reviews

What You Bring

Area Essential Desirable

Education / experience

Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical science or relevant discipline, or equivalent practical laboratory training and experience. Practical wet-lab experience from study, placement, internship, apprenticeship, academic research or early-career employment.

Master's degree, postgraduate research project or additional specialist training. Experience in molecular diagnostics, life sciences, medical devices, clinical research or another regulated environment.

Technical knowledge and skills

Understanding of nucleic acids, amplification principles, primer/probe function, assay controls, contamination control and routine laboratory calculations. Accurate pipetting, solution/dilution preparation, reagent handling and sample labelling.

Experience with PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, RT-LAMP, nucleic acid extraction, restriction enzyme digestion, clinical/biological sample handling at CL2 or Class II microbiological safety cabinets.

Data, documentation and quality

Good data-recording and basic data-analysis skills, including Microsoft Excel or equivalent. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols, SOPs, work instructions, safety requirements and quality expectations consistently.

Familiarity with ELNs, LIMS, QMS platforms, controlled document systems, design controls, verification, validation, assay transfer or assay outputs such as Ct, time-to-positive, endpoint fluorescence using spot and population metrics.

Communication and working style

Effective written and oral communication; ability to ask questions, respond constructively to guidance, work collaboratively, organise assigned tasks and develop technical skills through feedback and training.

Experience preparing technical summaries, presentations or lab reports. Interest in scientific problem-solving, assay development, molecular diagnostics, regulated product development or bioinformatics-based assay design.

OTI encourages applications from all qualified candidates who represent the full diversity of the communities in which we operate. We apply a rigorous, consistent, and equitable standard to the assessment of all candidates, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, age, religion, veteran status or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees are welcomed and belong.

What we have to offer:

• Private Insurance – which includes supplemental health coverage and dental coverage
• Life Insurance Benefits
• Pension scheme
• Paid time off
• Maternity Leave and Parental Leave Coverage
• Employee Referral Program – you may be eligible for a cash bonus if your referrals are hired
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Service Recognition
• Job-related Training Programs
• Ability to participate in Teams, Committees, Events and Clubs
• Depending on the role you may be eligible to work in a hybrid environment or fully remotely
• Free Onsite Parking

Please note, the above applies to full-time permanent positions.

Culture, People & Community

• LIVE IT Committee – committed to creating an environment that embodies our values
• All Means U: Employee Committee on Belonging hosts various events across all company locations such as monthly book club and mentorship program
• Wellness Committee empowers colleagues to make critical decisions to improve and protect health
• Sustainability Committee aims to minimize impact on the environment
• Social Committee who organize and run events for both remote and onsite employees, to create connection and community

At OTI, we have a clear vision; cultivate an environment of equal employment opportunity where we do not tolerate discrimination or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices.

OTI aims to create and foster workplaces that reflects and contributes to the global communities in which we do business and the customers and partners we serve. This includes all communities impacted by our corporate presence. As part of this commitment, OTI and its subsidiaries will ensure employees and applicants are provided reasonable accommodation per request. If you require disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Katheryn Viau at [e-mail]. OTI will consult with all applicants who request disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure that the accommodation provided takes into account the applicant's individual accessibility needs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

The base salary range for this full-time position is £20,000 - 36,000 annually. The range displayed on the job posting reflects the minimum and maximum base salary for the position. Our ranges are broad to account for differences in roles, performance, experience, skillsets, education and business needs and individual pay is determined by a variety of factors. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package, as noted below.