Senior Scientist

ZipRecruiter; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology firm in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior Scientist to enhance their R&D efforts in iPSC differentiation and immuno-oncology. The successful candidate will lead projects, support assay development, and contribute to strategic planning within a dynamic startup environment. Applicants must possess a PhD in a relevant field and experience in a lab setting, with an emphasis on immune cell differentiation.

Benefits

Long-term development opportunities

Autonomy in projects

Impactful role from day one

Qualifications

• Relevant postdoc-level or equivalent industry experience required.
• Hands-on experience in immuno-oncology is a plus.
• Ability to lead lab work and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead iPSC differentiation projects focused on immune lineages.
• Support immuno-oncology assay development.
• Plan and carry out lab work including cell culture.

Skills

iPSC differentiation

Immuno-oncology

Cell culture

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in life sciences

Tools

Cancer models

Functional immune testing

Job description

Job Description

My client, a growing biotech company based in Edinburgh, is hiring a Senior Scientist on a permanent basis.

This role offers a hands-on position within a collaborative start up environment, focusing on iPSC differentiation and immuno-oncology. The successful candidate will contribute to both experimental execution and broader R&D planning.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead iPSC differentiation projects, with a focus on immune lineages such as NK cells
• Support immuno-oncology assay development, including co-culture and functional immune testing
• Plan and carry out lab work including cell culture, extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation, and downstream analysis
• Interpret results, troubleshoot experiments, and feed into strategic scientific discussions
• Contribute to documentation for grant applications, regulatory submissions, and commercial discussions
• Represent the company in scientific meetings, client calls, or collaborative discussions
• Mentor junior team members and help build a positive, high-performing lab culture

Requirements:

• PhD in a relevant life sciences field, with postdoc-level or equivalent industry experience
• Expertise in iPSC differentiation — ideally into immune cell types like NK or dendritic cells
• Hands-on experience in immuno-oncology — such as immune assays, cancer models, or co-culture systems
• Willingness to work directly in the lab and lead by example
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, flexible startup or small-team setting
• Excellent communication skills and collaborative mindset

experience (not essential):

• Exposure to GMP, GLP, or regulatory translation
• Experience preparing documentation for grants or IND-enabling work
• Confident in representing the company in external scientific or commercial settings

What’s offered:

• A dynamic startup environment with real influence on projects and direction
• Long-term development and progression as the company grows
• A role with autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact from day one

Must have UK Visa

Apply above or reach out to me at [e-mail] for a confidential discussion about the opportunity