Research and Development Group Lead

This is an exciting time at CelLBxHealth plc and our team in Guildford are looking for a Research and Development Group Lead. The R&D Group Lead provides scientific and operational leadership across design, development, optimisation and validation of novel molecular and imaging assays, supporting research, pharma services and clinical diagnostic programmes. This role brings early-stage R&D innovation with robust, regulatory-compliant assay delivery, ensuring the successful translation of novel technologies from methods development through to clinical and commercial deployment.

The role holds broad technical oversight across multiple assay modalities, including molecular workflows (DNA, RNA and methylation profiling of circulating tumour cells and cell-free DNA using technologies such as NGS and digital PCR) and imaging-based assays in biological samples. The R&D Lead directs experimental design, validation studies and data interpretation, ensuring all methods meet analytical and clinical performance requirements defined under ISO 15189:2022 and other applicable regulatory frameworks, while also establishing company-wide methods and SOPs that raise scientific and operational standards across teams.

Operating at the intersection of Scientific, Quality, and Commercial functions, the R&D Lead ensures the seamless integration of new assays into the company’s service portfolio, working closely with multi-disciplinary, often international, collaborators and pharma services clients. The role carries governance responsibilities spanning risk management, documentation, and regulatory compliance, including engagement with external bodies such as UKAS, MHRA, HTA, and CLIA.

The R&D Lead combines deep scientific expertise across molecular and imaging assay science with strong operational and people leadership, a results-oriented approach and the delivery of validated, high-quality assays that advance precision medicine and pharma services innovation.

• Define and own the scientific strategy and technology roadmap for molecular and imaging-based assay development
• Set direction for the design, optimisation and validation of novel assay platforms, including molecular workflows (DNA, RNA, methylation profiling of CTCs and cfDNA) and advanced imaging assays (e.g., IF, FISH, multiplex panels), ensuring technical approaches are scientifically robust, scalable, and regulatory-ready.
• Own delivery accountability across a portfolio of development projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery against milestones, quality standards, and regulatory compliance, escalating and resolving risks at a strategic level.
• Oversee the Quality Management System compliance (ISO
  13485/ISO
  15189) and NPD governance for all assigned programmes, holding ultimate accountability for audit-readiness and regulatory defensibility.
• Represent R&D at a senior level in cross-functional forums, shaping decisions across Scientific, Quality, Commercial, and Operations functions to ensure seamless integration of new assays into the clinical and commercial service portfolio.
• Act as the primary scientific liaison with key clients, partners, and external regulatory or accreditation bodies (UKAS, MHRA, HTA, CLIA), representing the organisation’s scientific credibility and technical positioning.
• Shape commercial documentation impacting R&D deliverables (e.g., data transfer agreements, statements of work, master service agreements), ensuring scientific feasibility and deliverability are embedded early.
• Influence resourcing, prioritisation, and investment decisions across the department, balancing scientific ambition with commercial and operational realities.
• Help build, lead and develop a high-performing team, taking accountability…