Senior Scientist, R&D

The role will suit someone with experience who enjoys the technically focused aspects of development, from rapid prototyping to delivery. You'll also have the opportunity to work with the Data teams, who may have specific requirements for particular targeted methods, all with the aim of increasing our database diversity, data quality and scalability. You will work in a data-first environment, using experimental and sequencing-quality metrics to guide method development, prioritisation, and handover into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the R&D Lead, Director of Production and wider R&D and Production teams and collaborators, align R&D projects in order and prioritise during data pushes.
• Develop and optimise metagenomic extraction methods across a broad range of sample types (e.g. water, soil, sediments, faeces, biofilms), including approaches for low-biomass and inhibitor-rich matrices.
• Develop DNA / RNA purification methods using kits / chemistries / adaptation / in-house development to recover viruses and microbes, including high molecular weight (HMW) extractions suitable for long-read sequencing.
• Apply and develop virology-focused workflows spanning extraction through to sequencing, recovering viral signal from complex sample backgrounds.
• Design well-controlled experiments to compare extraction chemistries, sample-processing methods, library-preparation approaches, and sequencing-readout performance.
• Define success criteria, generate validation data, and support the transfer of robust methods into production through clear documentation, training, and troubleshooting.
• Prioritise development work based on scientific value, data-generation impact, feasibility, production scalability, and organisational timelines.
• Confident working within a CLS 2 environment and working with genetically modified organisms and their generation.
• Implementation of current, or development of novel, methods for library building for Next Generation Sequencing with ownership of the projects.
• Capable of working within a multi-disciplinary team, both as a project lead or as part of a delivery team.
• Capable of analysing their own experiments and presenting this out to the wider organisation.
• Be a part of mentorship within the team and wider organisation.
• Horizon scan for emergent methodologies, either within or outside of molecular biology approaches, that could add additional value to projects.
• Develop protocols for current and new NGS methods as they come in-play — lead and take charge of R&D projects that fall within this purview.
• Work collaboratively between other R&D sites and Data Science to understand and develop new protocols for challenging target genes / DNA modalities.

Required skills and experiences

• A minimum of 5 years' experience working on technically focused molecular biology and sequencing projects, either in a commercial R&D or large project-based academic setting for method development, ideally in non-model organisms.
• A strong understanding of metagenomic extraction methodologies across a range of sample types (e.g. water, soil, sediments, faeces, biofilms).
• Experience developing or applying high molecular weight (HMW) extraction methods.
• A track record in delivery of molecular methods for working with DNA and RNA, for both extraction and sequencing in end-to-end workflows.
• Experimental design and statistical comparison of method performance and ability to troubleshoot results.
• Pro-active and motivated in developing new methods and tackling continuous improvement challenges.
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects.

Advantageous skills and experiences

• Environmental metagenomics or microbial ecology background.
• Virology experience covering both extraction and Sequencing.
• Familiarity with automation and high throughput scaling of methods, its pitfalls and the development of methods for its usage.

What we offer in return

• Impactful Mission: This is a rare chance to do work that genuinely matters. You'll join a talented, fast-moving team, access unique biological datasets at scale, and see your contributions shape real breakthroughs in AI and curative therapeutics.
• Collaborative Culture: You'll be surrounded by world-class engineers, scientists, and researchers who care deeply about their work and about each other. With offices in London and Boston, we've built a flexible, cross-functional environment where personal development and real ownership aren't just talking points.
• High Growth: We truly believe in investing in our people. We make coaching available to team members during steep growth journeys and we have twice-yearly promotion opportunities. People who are really successful here own it and go directly to solve problems at pace, and we ensure reward increases with impact.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We've built a benefits package people value. That means competitive salary, equity, and private healthcare with no medical history exclusions - so strong that most employees' family members opt into our plan over their own. We also offer Carrot Fertility with IVF stipend, salary sacrifice pension, bike-to-work scheme, life insurance, and more.

We are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of ethnic or national origin, race, religion, sex, age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other basis. If you have a disability or additional need that needs accommodating do let us know.