BioTalent
Science Lead - Assay Development (Diagnostics & Point of Care)
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Senior Scientist, Assay Development (Science Lead)
Location: London, on-site (laboratory currently based in Stevenage; aiming to relocate to London soon)
Salary: Competitive + Equity
We're partnering with an ambitious, venture-backed healthtech company developing a next-generation diagnostic platform designed to bring laboratory-quality hormone testing into the home.
The company is tackling a significant unmet need in healthcare through the development of highly sensitive assays capable of measuring hormones and related biomarkers from non-invasive samples. As they move towards product validation and commercialisation, they are looking for a senior scientific leader to own assay development and shape the scientific strategy of the business.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced assay development scientist who wants to combine hands-on laboratory work with scientific leadership in a fast-growing diagnostics company.
The Opportunity
As the scientific lead for assay development, you will be responsible for driving the design, optimisation, validation and translation of quantitative immunoassays into a point-of-care diagnostic platform.
You'll work at the intersection of biology, chemistry, diagnostics and engineering, collaborating closely with engineers, regulatory specialists and external partners to bring a novel diagnostic product from development through to market.
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This is a highly visible role with significant influence over both product development and scientific direction.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and optimisation of quantitative immunoassays
- Drive assay performance across sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and stability
- Design and execute analytical validation studies
- Translate laboratory assays into point-of-care, cartridge-based or microfluidic formats
- Establish scientific best practice for experimental design, data quality and statistical analysis
- Generate documentation aligned with regulatory and design-control requirements
- Work closely with engineering, clinical and regulatory teams
- Support external collaborations and scientific advisory relationships
- Contribute to building and mentoring a growing scientific team
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- PhD in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Bioengineering or a related discipline
- Industry experience in assay development, diagnostics or IVD product development
- Strong hands-on expertise in immunoassay development, particularly ELISA-based systems
- Experience developing assays from concept through validation
- Background translating assays into point-of-care, biosensor, lateral flow or microfluidic platforms
- Experience working with biologically relevant samples such as blood, saliva or urine
- Strong experimental design, data analysis and statistical skills
- Experience generating technical and validation documentation within regulated environments
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving start-up or scale-up environment
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Highly Desirable
- Hormone assay development experience
- Experience measuring low-abundance analytes
- Point-of-care diagnostics or IVD device development
- Product commercialisation experience
- CE-IVD, UKCA or FDA-regulated product experience
- Team leadership or scientific management experience
- Reagent stabilisation or lyophilisation experience
Why Apply?
- Own the scientific strategy behind a breakthrough diagnostic product
- Lead assay development from early-stage innovation through commercial launch
- Join a mission-driven business addressing a major unmet healthcare need
- Work directly with senior leadership and influence company direction
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity participation
- Opportunity to build and lead a science function as the company grows
Interested in learning more? Apply with an up-to-date CV for a confidential discussion.
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