Senior Metagenomics Scientist, R&D

Basecamp Research; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Private healthcare

IVF stipend

Job summary

Basecamp Research is seeking a senior molecular biology scientist to advance metagenomic extraction workflows and sequencing in a globally distributed team. You will improve DNA/RNA extraction and library prep, focusing on metagenomic recovery from diverse samples and tough matrices.

You will design experiments, collaborate with R&D and Data Science, and drive production-ready methods while mentoring peers and contributing to cutting-edge therapeutic design initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in technically focused molecular biology and sequencing projects.
• Strong metagenomic extraction experience across sample types (water, soil, faeces, biofilms).
• Experience developing or applying high molecular weight (HMW) extraction methods.
• Delivery of molecular methods for DNA and RNA extraction and sequencing in end-to-end workflows.

Responsibilities

• Align R&D projects with production teams and collaborators during data pushes.
• Develop and optimise metagenomic extraction methods across diverse sample types.
• Develop DNA/RNA purification methods for viruses and microbes, including HMW extractions for long-read sequencing.
• Apply virology-focused workflows from extraction to sequencing and analyze viral signals.
• Design well-controlled experiments to compare extraction chemistries and sequencing-readout performance.
• Define success criteria, generate validation data, and support transfer of methods into production with documentation and training.
• Prioritise development work based on scientific value, data impact, feasibility, and timelines.
• Work within a CLS 2 environment with GM organisms and their generation.
• Lead or contribute to library building methods for Next Generation Sequencing with project ownership.
• Collaborate across R&D sites and Data Science to develop new protocols for challenging genes.
• Mentor within the team and scan for emergent methodologies to add value.
• Develop protocols for current and new NGS methods and lead R&D projects within this scope.
• Coordinate between R&D sites and Data Science to advance protocols for challenging targets.

Skills

Metagenomics

Molecular biology

Experimental design

Data analysis

Non-model organisms

Team collaboration

Tools

DNA/RNA extraction kits

Long-read sequencing

HMW extraction methods

Job description

Basecamp Research is seeking a senior molecular biology scientist to advance metagenomic extraction workflows and sequencing in a globally distributed team. You will improve DNA/RNA extraction and library prep, focusing on metagenomic recovery from diverse samples and tough matrices.

You will design experiments, collaborate with R&D and Data Science, and drive production-ready methods while mentoring peers and contributing to cutting-edge therapeutic design initiatives.