Bicycle Therapeutics
Research Associate / Associate Research Scientist -Biology
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Company Description
Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a novel class of medicines, referred to as Bicycle® molecules, for diseases that are underserved by existing therapeutics. Bicycle molecules are fully synthetic short peptides constrained with small molecule scaffolds to form two loops that stabilize their structural geometry. This constraint facilitates target binding with high affinity and selectivity, making Bicycle® molecules attractive candidates for drug development. The company is evaluating nuzafatide pevedotin (formerly BT5528), a Bicycle® Drug Conjugate (BDC®) targeting EphA2, a historically undruggable target; a pipeline of Bicycle® Radioconjugates (BRCs) and imaging agents; zelenectide pevedotin (formerly BT8009), a BDC® targeting Nectin-4, a well-validated tumor antigen; and, through various partnerships, the use of Bicycle® technology to develop therapies to treat diseases in a range of therapeutic areas.
Bicycle Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, visit bicycletherapeutics.com.
Culture is key and all Bicycle employees actively embrace and role model our company values:
- We are Adventurous. We believe it’s the way to deliver extraordinary results for our patients.
- We are Dedicated to our Mission. You can’t change the world if you don’t have determination.
- We are One Team. We only succeed when we work together.
Job Description
Working Classification
Onsite
This is a fully onsite position based at our Cambridge, UK facilities. Given the laboratory-based nature of this role, daily onsite presence is required to work closely with our teams, access our cutting-edge resources, and drive our science and operations forward.
The Mission
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, laboratory-based Research Associate Scientist / Associate Research Scientist to join our Therapeutics Biology team. Situated as the critical translational engine within the wider Therapeutics division at Bicycle Tx, the Biology group sits at the intersection of discovery chemistry and preclinical development.
In this role, you will work closely alongside Biology Lead Scientists to deliver robust, high-quality, and reproducible in vitro data sets to progress our discovery and preclinical programmes:
- Driving the Pipeline: Your bench-based data generation and primary screening efforts will directly accelerate candidate selection, turning novel peptide leads into validated drug candidates
- Targeted Therapeutics: You will be actively involved in advancing our cutting-edge Bicycle Drug Conjugate (BDC) and Bicycle Radio Conjugate (BRC) pipeline programmes
- Collaborative Science: Operating primarily at the bench, you will perform timely screening of compounds, execute diverse cell-based assays, and collaborate closely with the wider Biology group to turn breakthrough science into life-changing medicines
Your Responsibilities
- In Vitro Assay Execution: Perform cell culture and execute cell-based assays to support the profiling of BDC and BRC molecules by conducting timely and rigorous screening of compounds to identify active molecules and support lead optimisation
- Data Generation & Quality: Deliver robust, accurate, and reproducible biological data packages to meet project timelines and support candidate selection
- Detailed Data Analysis: Analyse experimental data quantitatively and qualitatively, identifying key trends and maintaining high scientific standards
- Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) Logging: Diligently and accurately record all experimental methods, raw data, and analyses in our BioELN system to guarantee data integrity and IP protection
- Scientific Communication: Present experimental data clearly at internal biology team meetings and multidisciplinary project team meetings
- Collaboration & Matrix Working: Partner proactively with colleagues across the wider Biology department and other lines (e.g., Chemistry) to coordinate workloads and support joint goals
- Lab Maintenance & Stewardship: Contribute to general laboratory maintenance, restocking, and safety standards to ensure an efficient working environment
- Continuous Innovation: Suggest, test, and implement practical laboratory innovations and assay improvements where appropriate
- Health & Safety Compliance: Work in strict accordance with existing SOPs, biosafety plans, and COSHH risk assessments
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Qualifications
Skills and Competencies
Knowledge & Expertise
- Core Expertise: Applies developing knowledge to complete a broad range of routine tasks independently. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in core laboratory techniques, including mammalian cell culture, PCR, and western blotting. They will build practical experience in our labs, strengthening their understanding of in vitro assays (such as viability and cytotoxicity), flow cytometry, and cellular imaging. This role operates under general supervision, with guidance provided on new assignments and a focus on building a solid understanding of the core scientific principles within our discovery programmes.
- Data/Insight: Perform well-defined analysis, gathering and interpreting data with guidance from Biology Lead scientists. Apply appropriate analysis using tools like GraphPad Prism, learning to identify trends and draw straightforward conclusions that contribute to project goals. The focus is on developing the ability to produce reliable and accurate data, which forms the foundation of our scientific decision-making.
- Influence & Collaboration: Contribute to team discussions and build effective working relationships. Share ideas and information with colleagues and project leaders, developing skills to communicate their scientific findings clearly. Support the wider team by contributing to general lab maintenance, helping to coordinate workloads, and working collaboratively to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality data.
Job Complexity
- Task/Project Delivery: Manage and coordinate different assay types in parallel to meet screening timelines and being flexible to adjust workflows in response to changing project demands and compound priorities. Deliver work on key project components with limited supervision, applying standard methods to build a clear biological profile for our BDC and BRC compounds.
- Problem-solving: Apply established methods and adapt standard practices where appropriate. A key part of the job is the ability to identify unexpected or anomalous assay results and, with guidance from lead scientists, carry out preliminary troubleshooting. The candidate will be expected to exercise judgment within defined procedures to resolve straightforward issues and contribute to the team's ability to overcome daily scientific challenges.
- Strategic Impact: Directly support the achievement of our short-term operational targets and help progress compounds through the pipeline.
Independence
- Autonomy: Operate with supervised autonomy, demonstrating a proactive approach to task prioritisation, preparing materials ahead of experiments, and manage daily laboratory schedules. They will independently execute routine assays and compound screenings once training is complete, while working under general supervision for newer workflows. They will take ownership of performing primary data analysis and preparing draft summaries of results for review, contributing to the efficient progression of our pipeline programmes.
- Decision-making: This role requires making straightforward operational decisions within established protocols, such as organising experimental setups and scheduling routine tasks. While executing assays, the candidate is expected to decide when standard laboratory parameters are met, but must exercise sound judgment by escalating novel protocol requirements or complex data anomalies. They will actively seek guidance from the Biology Lead Scientist or senior team members to resolve unexpected technical issues, ensuring data integrity is never compromised.
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Values & Behaviours
- One Team: The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to work productively and build supportive relationships within a collaborative, multidisciplinary matrix team. They will actively share ideas, assist colleagues in coordinating joint workloads, and contribute to general laboratory maintenance, ensuring a cohesive and efficient environment where we succeed together.
- Adventurous: To thrive in our fast-paced research environment, the candidate will exhibit high adaptability and flexibility, readily adjusting their workflows and learning new techniques in response to evolving project demands and shifting therapeutic priorities. They will bring a proactive approach to problem-solving, showing strong initiative when troubleshooting laboratory assays, exploring technical improvements, and managing daily schedules to overcome experimental hurdles.
- Dedicated to our Mission: The candidate will show a deep commitment to delivering high-quality science to help bring life-changing medicines to patients. This dedication is reflected in exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a rigorous approach to data integrity. They will take personal pride in the precise documentation of all methodologies and experimental outcomes in their Electronic Lab Notebook, ensuring our therapeutic pipeline is built on a foundation of robust, reproducible data.
Background
- BSc or MSc in a biological sciences discipline (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Oncology) and/or experience in industry.
Professional Experience
- Hands-on laboratory research experience in an industrial biopharmaceutical or academic drug discovery setting is preferred.
Oncology / Drug Conjugates (Desirable)
- Prior exposure to, or theoretical understanding of, drug conjugates (ADCs/BDCs) or radiopharmaceuticals is a strong advantage.
Additional Information
- Pension (10% employer contribution)
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI) (including optical and dental cover)
- Health Cash Plan
- Group Life Assurance (4x basic salary)
- Group Income Protection
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Gym membership (subsidized by Company if on campus, subsidized by PMI if joined elsewhere)
- Time off (28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays & the option to buy up to 5 additional days annually)
- Competitive reward including annual company bonus
- Employee recognition schemes
- Enhanced parental leave policies
- Flexible working environment
- State-of-the-art campus environment with on campus restaurant and Montessori nursery
- Eligibility for an option grant to subscribe to shares in Bicycle Therapeutics plc.
Bicycle Therapeutics is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse
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