Scientist: In vivo immunologist

Location: London

Job Type: Permanent

Agencies: We will only work with recruitment partners on our preferred supplier list and will not engage with speculative CVs submitted.

LifeArc, we want to hear from people who are as passionate as we are about making life science life changing that can improve patients’ lives.

A bit about the role:

This is a very exciting time to join LifeArc’s antibody discovery team. We are enhancing our single B-cell-based antibody discovery platform, and as part of this development, we have a team of experts based at the Francis Crick Institute in London. The team has already established transgenic mice immunizations and single B-cell sorting protocols. We are looking for a highly skilled and enthusiastic team member who will be instrumental in all key steps of the antibody discovery workflow at the Francs Crick Institute for LifeArc, mainly performing in vivo experiments and associated B cell isolation and functional assays to identify antibody-secreting cells. Previous experience in B cell biology is highly welcomed. Deep expertise in in vivo mouse experiments with immunisation techniques and cellular assays, including flow cytometry-based methods, is essential. The position will be based at the Francis Crick Institute in London, but you will work closely with Scientists within our Biologics Discovery and Development team at Stevenage.

As a Scientist, you will be expected to work independently to perform specialised and non-routine experiments and contribute to the scientific rationale of any assigned projects. Additionally, you will develop and apply your specialist knowledge of scientific techniques/experiments to further project objectives.

About you:

Essential

• Home Office Personal Licence Holder (PIL A-B) for Mice, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended 2012).
• An excellent record of research productivity, commensurate to the applicant’s career
• Experience in immunisation protocols including using antigens and whole cell methods.
• Expertise in cellular immunology with a good understanding of B-cell biology
• Experience with B-cell and/or plasma cell isolation and handling
• Experience in flow cytometry and analysis of humoral responses by ELISPOT, proliferation assays and ELISA.
• Evidence of building collaborative relationships
• Adaptability in adjusting to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with external partners, peer-review groups, and colleagues.
• An ability to prioritise tasks effectively while under pressure.
• Attention to detail essential for adherence to protocols and recording of experimental methods and data
• Evidence of networking skills with the ability to build effective collaborative relationships
• Versatility to work on different collaborative projects and ability to adapt to changing priorities

Desirable

• Related practical lab experience in a Pharmaceutical, Biotech or Contract Research Organization, or academic laboratory environment working directly with small animals (rodents) and mammalian cell culture.
• Supervisory experience
• Project management experience
• Proficient in MS Office Suite including experience in data presentation and statistical analyses.
• Evidence of effective management of students, technicians or other team members
• Evidence of experience and vision to carry out scientific research in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant branch of biosciences or highly relevant extensive laboratory experience in cellular immunology and the expertise listed above.
• Experimental in vivo skills in particular with immunisation procedures in a variety of species including mouse is desirable
• Current or previous Home Office personal licence holder (modules A-B) or equivalent qualification
• Fully conversant with all aspects of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, Directive 2010/63/EU, associated Home Office guidelines and their implications.

About us:

At LifeArc, our ambition is to make life science life changing. We do this by advancing scientific discoveries beyond the lab, faster, so that they can shape the next generation of diagnostics, treatments, and cures.

Working at the cutting edge of translational science and as the early-stage translation specialists, we progress scientific discoveries on their journey to becoming a medicine, diagnostic or intervention that can improve patients’ lives. Our work begins by seeking out innovative science, then helping to develop this to a point where there is a clinical and commercial pathway for others to invest the time and money to take it further forward.

What we can offer you:

Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.

Join us, and you’ll have the scope to be creative and take measured risks. You’ll be rewarded for your curiosity, for working as one team, and for learning fast. And you’ll have everything you need to be your best every day.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At LifeArc we are dedicated in building an inclusive workplace and a diverse workforce that can bring a range of skills, new ideas and innovative thinking to our work. So, whatever your background or lived experience, if you’re excited about this role, but perhaps feel you don’t meet every requirement in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate, and you may be just the right person for this or other roles.

We all have potential. At LifeArc, you’ll discover what you can really do with it.