Senior Scientist in Cell Biology; Immunology

We have a vacancy for a Senior Scientist in cell biology with immunology experience. This is a great opportunity for a talented and passionate cell biologist to have an influential role in drug discovery projects at a well-respected integrated medicines research CRO on the outskirts of Cambridge, in Pampisford. This is a maternity cover opportunity for up to twelve months in the first instance which may develop into a permanent role in the future.

Based within our Biology Department, as a lab-based scientist within the assay biology group, you will join a rapidly growing, talented team.

The Biology Department has leading capabilities in biophysics, enzymology, crystallography, and cellular pharmacology and emerging expertise with cryo-EM.

Within the assay biology group, we have expertise in cellular pharmacology and a wide range of techniques such as flow-cytometry, fluorescent imaging, biochemical and biophysical screening. We work with clients across a range of diseases for different phases of drug discovery from hit  to candidate selection for a variety of different modalities: small-molecules, fragments, targeted protein degrader, RNA/DNA binders, antibodies and aptamers.

You will be working in a fast-paced environment as part of an inter-disciplinary team to generate and interpret data and present data both internally and to our valued clients. You will have good problem-solving skills and able to regularly present data to key stakeholders internally and to clients through oral presentations and written reports.

We are seeking an adaptable cell biologist with strong experience developing and running robust cell-based assays for drug discovery. Experience with immunology or inflammation-related assays, flow cytometry, ELISA or other plate-based assays, imaging, automated western blotting, qPCR, primary cells, PBMCs, or blood-derived samples would be valuable.

You will design, develop, validate, and run fit-for-purpose cell-based assays across varied biology areas, modalities, and disease contexts, generating quantitative data to guide project decisions. This role suits a versatile scientist who enjoys learning new biology quickly and applying rigorous experimental approaches.

• Work in interdisciplinary drug discovery project teams
• Design, optimise, validate, and run cell-based assays for discovery projects
• Characterise compound activity, potency, mechanism, selectivity, and functional cellular responses
• Use relevant cellular models, including immortalised, primary, co-culture, PBMC, whole blood, and disease-relevant systems
• Analyse, interpret, and communicate quantitative data to guide project decisions
• Prepare clear reports, presentations, proposals, and study plans
• Support scientific excellence, teamwork, innovation, safety, quality, and data integrity
• Relevant industry experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO drug discovery
• Strong practical cell biology expertise and experience developing robust cellular assays
• Experience generating and interpreting cellular pharmacology data, including potency, efficacy, selectivity, mechanism, pathway modulation, and functional responses
• Hands-on experience with techniques such as flow cytometry, cytokine or chemokine assays, cell stimulation assays, ELISA, AlphaLISA or equivalent plate-based methods, western blotting, imaging, RNA extraction, cDNA generation, and qPCR
• Experience culturing, handling, stimulating, processing, and analysing mammalian cells, ideally including primary cells, PBMCs, whole blood and other blood-derived samples
• Experience using Incucyte or similar live-cell imaging platforms
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively to collaborative project teams
• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas, target classes, or assay formats
• Experience with medium- or high-throughput screening, automation, or liquid handling
• Experience with transient transfections or stable cell line generation
• Experience contributing to screening cascade design, proposals, client discussions, or external presentations.