Technical Lab Operations Specialist | Diagnostics | AI | Lab Ops | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup

iLoF; Porto; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Remote work culture

Private healthcare

Weekly socials

Free coffee and snacks

Annual performance bonus

Job summary

An innovative healthtech startup is seeking a Technical Lab Operations Specialist to manage and optimize lab operations. You will oversee quality compliance and workflow efficiency in a fast-paced environment. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in diagnostics and a solid understanding of ISO standards. This role involves travel between the UK and Portugal and offers flexible hours and a collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in lab operations within diagnostics/medical devices/biotech.
• Strong understanding of ISO 13485 and regulated environments.
• Experience with SOPs, controlled documents, audits, CAPA, and change control.

Responsibilities

• Manage lab operations to ensure a safe and organized environment.
• Oversee equipment calibration and maintenance schedules.
• Draft and maintain SOPs for compliance and consistency.

Skills

Laboratory operations

ISO 13485 knowledge

Equipment management

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Education

Degree in life sciences or related field

Job description

Overview

Technical Lab Operations Specialist | Diagnostics | AI | Lab Ops | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup — join our team on our journey to revolutionise personalised medicine. This role is based between London (UK) and Porto (Portugal), interfacing daily with teams in the UK and abroad.

You will be part of a cross‑functional team focused on enabling efficient lab operations, quality, and compliance in a fast‑growing healthtech startup.

Responsibilities

• Run the lab end‑to‑end: ensure a safe, organized, and inspection‑ready laboratory supporting diagnostics R&D and prototyping.
• Equipment management: own calibration, preventive maintenance, and service schedules; keep compliant equipment logs and vendor/service records.
• Sample & inventory flow: oversee sample accessioning, cold‑chain storage (incl. freezers), and consumables/reagent inventory to support assay workflows.
• SOPs & documentation: draft, update, and control SOPs, work instructions, and training records to maintain consistency and compliance.
• Quality & compliance: align daily ops with UK/EU frameworks (ISO 13485, ISO 15189, IVDR, UKCA); support audits, CAPA, and change control.
• Workflow enablement: partner with scientists, engineers, and bioinformaticians to streamline processes, support assay roll‑outs, and optimize throughput.
• Data & LIMS: champion LIMS/ELN use and data integrity; ensure accurate capture of metadata, results, and QC records.
• Cross‑functional liaison: act as the operational bridge across R&D, engineering/automation, QA/RA, and clinical teams.
• Admin backbone: handle purchasing, scheduling, vendor coordination, and lab housekeeping to keep the engine running.
• You will be travelling (~50% of the time) between our bases in the UK and Portugal, spending time with our teams on the ground.
• Degree (or equivalent practical experience) in life sciences, biomedical/biochemical engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years in lab operations within diagnostics/medical devices/biotech.
• Strong understanding of ISO 13485 and regulated lab environments; exposure to ISO 15189, IVDR, or UKCA is a plus.
• Hands‑on experience with SOPs, controlled documents, audits, CAPA, and change control.
• Practical knowledge of equipment calibration/PM and troubleshooting.
• Bonus: Familiarity with LIMS/ELN and data integrity principles.
• Excellent organizational skills; adept at prioritizing multiple workflows.
• Clear communicator and collaborator across technical and non‑technical teams.
• Experience in high‑growth/startup environments is a strong plus.
• Proactive owner with a strong bias to action and continuous improvement.
• Low‑ego, high‑collaboration mindset that elevates teammates.

Nice to Have

• Exposure to lab automation (liquid handlers, scheduling software).
• Awareness of AI/data integration with laboratory workflows.
• Experience working with blood samples, or related biological materials.
• Prior industry exposure, particularly in regulated or translational settings, is desirable.

About iLoF

In a world where personalized medicine is becoming the norm, iLoF is building an AI‑powered platform to transform precision medicine. We are recognized by CB Insights and the Financial Times as a leading Digital Health company, supported by institutions like Microsoft Ventures, Mayfield, and Oxford University. Our mission is to democratize access to personalized medicine for millions of people worldwide.

Our proprietary optical fingerprint library enables personalized patient screening and stratification more quickly and affordably, saving up to 40% of costs and 70% of time while offering a better patient experience. We focus on Alzheimer’s, with ongoing work in Digestive Cancer, Stroke, and Infectious diseases. We are a mix of scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors based in Oxford and Porto, with a passion for healthcare.

We are frequently featured in leading outlets and have been named a promising digital health company and a transformational business in healthcare. We value curiosity, collaboration, and a mission‑driven mindset.

What we value

• A Be Kind attitude as a guiding principle.
• A hand in the hammer and another free to support your co‑workers as a true team player.
• Honest and egoless discussions, working in good faith.
• The courage to speak your heart in any situation.
• Be proactive and make a difference at every moment.
• Respect for work‑life balance and the identities of everyone outside of work.
• Ownership and accountability for responsibilities.
• A stimulating startup environment with annual performance bonus, flexible hours, remote work culture, and room for creativity.
• Perks: weekly socials, free coffee and snacks, private healthcare, and the opportunity to work with a world‑class team.

We are always looking for curious and collaborative people who share our values and want to be part of our journey. If that sounds like a fit for you, click the apply button and join us!

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing