Job Title: Senior Scientist Motor Neuron Disease iPSc platform
Location: Stevenage
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:
As a senior scientist within LifeArc’s molecular and cellular pharmacology (MCP) group, you will be part of a diverse group of scientists with a wealth of experience in the pre-clinical phase of drug discovery and development. The MCP group focuses on building platforms and designing and performing experiments to further drug development projects aligned with LifeArc’s ambitions translational challenges to benefit patients and to make life science life changing.
The LifeArc Motor Neuron Disease Translational Challenge is our new multi-million-pound programme to accelerate scientific innovation for people living with MND by develop new diagnostic tests, drug treatments, medical devices and other digital solutions that transform people’s quality of life and save lives. To achieve this, we aim to develop a portfolio of therapeutics programs that employees cutting edge biology and data science approaches to develop novel treatments for MND. As part of this, we plan to develop a state of art iPSC disease model capability.
This lab-based position will play a pivotal role in our research and development efforts. You will be responsible for leading our new iPSc lab; developing and optimising protocols for iPSc derived motor neurons as well as potentially other related cell types, managing the lab and setting up processes to ensure reproducible and high-quality cells from a range of healthy and patient derived donors.
You will also be involved in the development of cutting-edge phenotypic assays using these cells to understand the impact of disease and to profile putative disease modifying treatments on the function and structure of iPSc derived motor neurons.
The ideal candidate will also have experience in line managing junior scientists, have a strong background in neuroscience, ideally in the motor neuron disease space, and be familiar with producing iPSc derived motor neurons in an industrial setting.
About you:
Essential:
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, or a related field or BSc, MSc with 5+ years’ experience in these fields
- Proven expertise working with iPSC-derived neurons and a strong background in developing/optimizing differentiation protocols
- Extensive experience in cellular reprogramming, neuronal differentiation, and culture techniques.
- Organised and meticulous
- Proficiency in advanced imaging techniques, electrophysiology, and/or molecular biology methods.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication skills with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
- Experience in matrix management of scientists
Desirable:
- Experience in line management of junior scientists
- Experience of developing iPSc derived motor neurons in an industrial setting
- Experience in gene editing iPSc
- Strong background in neuroscience, ideally motor neuron disease, demonstrated by a publication track record
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.
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At LifeArc, we commit to advancing equal opportunities and building a diverse workforce by ensuring a fair, inclusive, and accessible recruitment experience for all. We employ individuals based on their suitability for the work to be performed and their potential for development, regardless of age, sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion, or belief. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion includes creating a culture where everyone feels they belong, is valued for who they are and has the opportunity to translate their potential.