Scientist, Research Scientist

About Us

We are a team of passionate individuals from 15 countries developing the world’s first biosecurity platform built to combat critical pest threats to human health, food security and the environment.

With a deep commitment to trust, integrity and collaboration, Flyttr has become the trusted partner of governments, industries, philanthropies and communities seeking to make bold advancements on the biggest pest threats of our time. We work with urgency because lives and livelihoods depend on it. Successful candidates will find Flyttr to be an exhilarating place to do their best work and will find that every person at Flyttr plays a critical role in a dynamic, exciting, team-oriented culture.

As a Scientist for Flyttr, you will join a dynamic project dedicated to the research and development of our self-limiting technology in arthropod species that spread disease and harm livestock.

You will join our strain development team, a team who are focused on the development of transformation methods and handling techniques that will streamline our strain development processes, followed by the generation and characterisation of self-limiting tick strains for future use in field operations. In alignment with the project scope, you will work under the direction of the Team Lead to bring valuable technical knowledge and be responsible for generating novel genetically engineered strains of ticks and designing experimental protocols that are focused on delivering results and progress, measurable against company priorities.

To be successful at this job, you will need to show a keen interest in arthropod biology, have a self-starting attitude, show strong organisational skills, and demonstrate original thinking and attention to detail. Your duties will range widely from equipment procurement to experimental design, execution, analysis and reporting as well as helping to maintain a safe and functional working environment. You will be able to record data precisely and timely, as well as prepare presentations to report to your line manager.

You will be able to manage both planned and unplanned work streams, responding to company priorities.

You will have strong experience of generating and interpreting data, and will take a hands‑on approach, working closely with the team as well as our molecular department to test, improve, and validate new arthropod husbandry, genetic transformation methods and strain phenotypes. You will be able to work independently while maintaining a strong team ethos, to demonstrate good laboratory practices, and to follow SOPs.

Excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm for Flyttr’s mission are essential.

• Join a small team tasked with developing the transformation methods necessary to generate self‑limiting ticks.
• Generate self-limiting strains and assess them against Flyttr’s target product profile metrics.
• Conduct experiments according to specified protocols.
• Design and run experiments independently, but in full alignment with program goals and with the endorsement of your line manager and Team Leader.
• Characterise the behaviour and biology of transgenic strains.
• Maintain insect life stages.
• Ensure that processes, methods, and experiments are well designed and focused on delivering results and progress, measurable against the project goals.
• Carry out literature reviews to guide experimental testing: collect, analyse, and interpret data.
• Carefully record data and document activities and processes within laboratory books or other applicable records.
• Manage and train any direct report in line with SOPs and training records.
• Manage members of the team and act as their daily point of contact.
• Maintain up to date health and safety records and updating SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments.
• Provide clear communication regarding outcomes of processes, experiments, and planning with the Team Lead.
• Report data in meetings throughout the organisation, to audiences with various technical knowledge, and write clear and concise reports for internal review.
• Have a clear understanding of the commercial impact of the work and responsibilities and strive to optimise performance.
• Supp…