Senior Research Associate - Cell Therapy Development

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Professional Development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join our Cell Therapy Development team in East London. This hands-on role supports R&D of novel cell-based therapies, executing experiments, analyzing data, and refining culture, gene editing, and cell characterization protocols.

The successful candidate will have 4–5 years of hands-on biology experience, strong organization, and the ability to work both independently and in a team within a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters in Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related life sciences.
• 4–5 years hands-on cell culture and biology experience in research or development.
• Experience with gene editing (CRISPR) and nucleic acid manipulation is desirable.
• Proficiency in cell-based assay development and flow cytometry or microscopy.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to contribute in East London.

Responsibilities

• Perform cell culture including primary cell isolation, line maintenance, and scale-up under aseptic conditions.
• Execute gene editing techniques (CRISPR-Cas9) and develop genetic modification protocols.
• Perform cell-based assays for potency, viability, differentiation, and functional characterization.
• Conduct flow cytometry, microscopy, and other analytical techniques to characterize cell populations.
• Maintain accurate records, analyze data, and present findings to the team.
• Assist in development and optimization of manufacturing processes for cell therapies, ensuring quality standards.

Skills

Cell culture

Gene editing

Cell-based assays

Flow cytometry

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Biology or related

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Research Associate to join their pioneering Cell Therapy Development team in East London. This hands-on role is vital for supporting the research and development of innovative cell-based therapies. You will be responsible for executing complex experimental procedures, analyzing data, and contributing to the optimization of cell culture, gene editing, and cell characterization protocols. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a rapidly growing field and make a significant impact on developing novel treatments for challenging diseases within a collaborative laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform cell culture, including primary cell isolation, cell line maintenance, and scale-up of therapeutic cell populations under aseptic conditions.
• Execute gene editing techniques (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) and develop protocols for genetic modification of cells.
• Perform cell-based assays for potency, viability, differentiation, and functional characterization of therapeutic cells.
• Conduct flow cytometry, microscopy, and other analytical techniques to characterize cell populations and assess product quality.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records, analyze experimental data, and present findings to the research team.
• Assist in the development and optimization of manufacturing processes for cell therapies, ensuring compliance with quality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 4-5 years of hands-on experience in cell culture and cell biology techniques, preferably in a research or development setting.
• Experience with gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR) and nucleic acid manipulation is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in cell-based assay development and execution, as well as flow cytometry or microscopy.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to contribute effectively within a team environment in East London.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and further training in the rapidly evolving field of cell therapy.
• Exposure to cutting-edge research and technologies in a supportive and collaborative setting.
• The chance to contribute to the development of potentially life-changing therapies.