Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist - Organoid and Complex In Vitro Models Specialist

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist – Organoid and Complex In Vitro Models Specialist

Reporting to: Andrea Serio – Group Leader

Contract term: This is a full-time, fixed term (2-year) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary for this Role: From £47,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

The Serio Lab brings together stem-cell biology, bioengineering, microscopy, automation and disease modelling to build next-generation experimental systems for human biology.

At the centre of this work is VISIBLE – a new imaging-driven platform designed to transform how complex biological models such as organoids and engineered tissues are built, monitored and analysed. Combining live imaging, automation, environmental control and biofabrication within one modular system, VISBLE enables researchers to interact with biological systems in entirely new ways.

We are now looking for talented scientists and engineers to help take VISIBLE from an advanced academic platform into an exciting future spin‑out company. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of science, technology and entrepreneurship, while remaining embedded within a world‑leading biomedical research institute.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist to lead the biological development and validation of organoid and complex in vitro model workflows for the VISIBLE platform.

Working within a highly interdisciplinary team, you will help develop robust biological workflows spanning organoids, stem‑cell derived systems, live imaging and automated assay development. You will work closely with engineers, software developers and bioengineers to translate biological research needs into scalable, automation‑ready applications.

This role would suit an ambitious researcher with strong experience in organoids, stem‑cell biology or advanced cell culture systems who enjoys working at the interface of biology, engineering and technology development.

This is a rare opportunity to join VISIBLE at a defining moment, as the project moves from an advanced academic platform toward a potential spin‑out company. The successful candidate will be part of the team helping to shape the technology, workflows and technical direction of VISIBLE from the inside, with the possibility of contributing to the foundations of a new company.

While the post will initially be based at the Crick, and remain subject to Crick terms and conditions, there may be an opportunity for the successful candidate, subject to company formation, relevant approvals, business needs and separate agreement, to be considered for a future role within the founding or early technical team of the spin‑out. Any future participation in the company, including potential equity or incentive arrangements, would be determined separately and subject to the governance, policies and terms of the future company.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and validating organoid, spheroid and complex in vitro model workflows for the VISIBLE platform.
• Designing and executing advanced cell culture, imaging and biological validation experiments.
• Supporting integration of biological workflows with automated imaging, manipulation and sampling technologies.
• Working closely with engineers and software developers to translate biological requirements into practical platform solutions.
• Analysing imaging and biological data to support workflow optimisation and validation.
• Preparing SOPs, validation datasets, reports and technical documentation.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, external users and early adopter partners.

You will have:

• PhD in a relevant biomedical, biological or related discipline, or nearing PhD completion.
• Strong experience in mammalian cell culture, ideally including stem‑cell derived or complex in vitro systems.
• Experience working with organoids, spheroids, assembloids, engineered tissues or related 3D biological models.
• Experience with microscopy and imaging‑based biological analysis.
• Strong experimental design, troubleshooting and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively…