Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Lab Sciences (IHC/Histology)

Avantor; Milton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences (DLS) to lead diagnostic development, validation and operationalization in a CAP/CLIA‑accredited laboratory.

You will drive histopathology, IHC, assay development, validation and digital pathology workflows, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance and successful delivery of diagnostic programmes that advance precision medicine and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• BSc degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical Science, Pathology, Molecular Biology or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within a diagnostic histopathology and/or immunohistochemistry laboratory.
• Proven experience performing microtomy and handling a wide range of human tissue samples.
• Strong understanding of immunohistochemistry and its application within diagnostics and patient care.
• Experience working within regulated laboratory environments such as CAP/CLIA, ISO15189, HTA or GCP.
• Experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, prioritise workloads and work effectively within matrix teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance and data integrity.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and day‑to‑day operational oversight of laboratory activities.
• Independently perform and supervise technical laboratory work in accordance with SOPs and quality standards.
• Lead assay development, optimisation, characterisation, verification and validation activities.
• Act as Project Lead for design control and assay validation programmes.
• Design and execute studies to establish assay performance characteristics including sensitivity, specificity, precision and linearity.
• Analyse experimental data using statistical approaches and design of experiments (DOE) methodologies.
• Develop and optimise sample preparation workflows, including microtomy across a range of human tissue types.
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot automated histology and IHC platforms including Ventana, Leica and Dako systems.
• Support and oversee digital pathology workflows including image scanning, quality control and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with CAP/CLIA, ISO, HTA, GCP and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Support quality management activities including design controls, supplier controls, change controls, risk management and CAPA processes.
• Manage laboratory data and documentation using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Collaborate closely with scientists, project managers and cross‑functional stakeholders to communicate findings and project progress effectively.
• Support staff training and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratory.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Data integrity

Quality/compliance

Education

BSc in Biomedical Science, Pathology, Molecular Biology or related

Tools

LIMS

Ventana/Leica/Dako platforms

Job description

Avantor in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences (DLS) to lead diagnostic development, validation and operationalization in a CAP/CLIA‑accredited laboratory.

You will drive histopathology, IHC, assay development, validation and digital pathology workflows, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance and successful delivery of diagnostic programmes that advance precision medicine and patient outcomes.