Research Scientist: Target Discovery & Validation

Scripta Therapeutics; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Private medical/dental insurance

Enhanced pension

Job summary

Scripta Therapeutics in Oxford is seeking a highly motivated scientist to help shape the future of neurodegenerative therapeutics. You will contribute to discovery campaigns, validate targets, and design experiments using mammalian cell cultures and high-content imaging.

Collaborate with drug discovery and AI specialists, present findings to the team, and help drive data integrity and operational excellence in a fast-paced startup environment. A PhD or Master’s with experience is required.

Qualifications

• PhD (or Master’s + experience) in biochemistry, cell biology, or a related discipline.
• Skilled in mammalian cell culture and/or molecular biology; knowledge of iPSC techniques; able to learn lab automation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Be part of a team discovering, validating and optimising next-generation therapeutics.
• Design experiments using mammalian cell cultures and high-throughput imaging platforms.
• Collaborate daily with drug discovery and AI specialists; brainstorm and troubleshoot together.
• Present findings and shape our scientific direction in internal and external meetings.
• Champion data integrity, safety, and operational excellence in a dynamic laboratory setting.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

iPSC techniques

Data analysis

Lab automation

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/Cell Biology

Master’s degree + industry experience

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of neurodegenerative disease therapeutics?

Join Scripta Therapeutics, a pioneering Techbio company founded in early 2025, working in close partnership with Oxford University and supported by world-class investors. Our mission is to discover and develop a novel class of disease-modifying small molecule and RNAi therapeutics using the latest in artificial intelligence, deep learning, and multiomics technologies. We do this by exploiting the untapped power of transcription factors; master regulators of cell fate, aging, and disease. This role will support us in characterising therapeutic candidates in advanced models of disease, a key step in delivering new drugs for patients.

Why Scripta?

• Culture: We have a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your ideas help define the next wave of scientific progress.
• Innovation: We blend real-world patient-derived iPSC models, high-content imaging, and AI-powered informatics, giving us the tools to push boundaries and make breakthroughs at speed.
• Partnerships: Our Oxford Science Park location connects us directly with leading minds across academia and industry.
• Reward: we offer a competitive salary, a generous bonus scheme, access to private medical/dental insurance, and an enhanced company pension.

What You’ll Do

• Be part of a team discovering, validating and optimising next-generation therapeutics, enabling real-world impact on drug discovery for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.
• Design experiments using mammalian cell cultures and high-throughput imaging platforms, generating robust data that drives discovery of novel mechanisms.
• Collaborate daily with top drug discovery and AI specialists: brainstorm, troubleshoot, and innovate together.
• Present findings and shape our scientific direction in regular internal and external meetings.
• Champion data integrity, safety, and operational excellence in our dynamic laboratory setting.

About You

• You’re passionate, driven, and hardworking, and would thrive in a dynamic startup environment at the intersection of science and technology.
• PhD (or Master’s plus experience) in biochemistry, cell biology, or a related discipline, with optional postdoctoral or pharma/biotech/startup laboratory experience.
• Skilled in mammalian cell culture and/or molecular biology; ideally with first -hand experience or working knowledge of iPSC techniques; excited to learn and apply lab automation/data analysis.
• Ready to work independently and in collaborative multidisciplinary teams, sharing results and ideas with confidence.
• Proven interest in drug discovery and neurobiology, keen to make a genuine difference for patients.

Join Us

Engage with a team on the cutting edge, contribute to game-changing science, and help shape the future of Scripta Therapeutics.