Scientist

About the job

Today, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions making them less accessible unless we do something about it.

Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world. Signatur Biosciences is a startup with a remote workforce, predominantly in London, UK, and is establishing a new laboratory facility in Liège, Belgium.

We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company, where employees think like owners, act with authority, and collaborate closely with one another.

We are seeking a highly motivated and driven Senior Technical Assistant to join our team to help establish our new Belgium laboratory facility (full time, on site). In this role, under the direction of the Head of Laboratory Operations, you will be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining all necessary procedures and process required for a state-of-the-art ISO13485 compliant laboratory facility and for the generation of data to support the development of next generation molecular diagnostic products. You will join Signatur Biosciences at an exciting time as we are a small start-up company looking to grow.  You will be part of an expanding laboratory operations team but also interact with colleagues across the company who have the shared mission to make precision diagnostics more accessible. If you are a highly motivated and driven self-starter with a passion for novel diagnostics development, we'd love to speak with you!

About the role: As a Scientist, you will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective translation of project objectives into detailed and accurate protocols and work instructions. You will play a crucial role in advancing innovative diagnostic solutions by performing molecular biology techniques, analyzing experimental data, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and accuracy. Your contributions will directly impact the success of cutting-edge qPCR-based diagnostic kits, while collaborating with a dynamic and interdisciplinary team.

Technical Expertise

  • Expert in PCR

  • Experience with nucleic acid extraction

  • Proven track record in planning and writing study protocols and work instructions

  • Proven track record of timely and accurate laboratory record keeping

  • Experience in working collaboratively and coordinating laboratory activities

Skills, Experience & Attributes

Essential Skills/Experience

  • PhD, Master or equivalent Science degree in biology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or similar, with equivalent experience.

  • At least 3 years of hands-on molecular biology laboratory experience (not including course work)

  • Experience working within a Quality Management System for In Vitro Diagnostic development (ISO13485)

  • Familiarity with a scientific programming language (Python, R, Matlab or Julia)

  • Fluent in English & French

Desirable Skills/Experience

  • Previous start-up industry experience

  • Experience in using automated PCR set-up

  • Experience of working within biobanking requirements

  • Experience in writing study protocols following relevant international guidelines (i.e. CLSI)

  • Mentoring and/or coaching team members

Main Responsibilities:

People and Functional Development

  • Responsible for adherence to laboratory procedures to ensure a safe and effective laboratory environment

  • Assist in the sourcing, storage, handling and maintenance of records with regards biological samples in accordance with the relevant requirements

  • Be responsible for the work instructions and training for specific laboratory processes/equipment as a lab process expert

  • Contribute to the laboratory processes / procedures implementation in accordance with In Vitro Diagnostic development (ISO13485)

  • Support the Head of Laboratory Operations in the implementation and monitoring of metrics (Key Performance Indicators) of laboratory efficiency & effectiveness

  • Contribute towards the continuous improvement and operations of Signatur Biosciences

  • Training and coaching of laboratory team members

Project and Product Delivery

  • Take ownership of writing study protocols to achieve project objectives

  • Ensure the efficient translation of study plans and protocols into detailed laboratory work instructions/worksheets to enable laboratory execution

  • Support with generation and review of design and development documents

  • Work with external partners and providers to advance project objectives

  • Work across the R&D team to anticipate reagents and consumable needs

  • Take ownership of data analysis and report writing 

  • Train the laboratory team on the study protocols/work instructions

  • Conduct laboratory studies in accordance with work instructions and/or study protocols in support of research and/or product development projects including:

    • Performing qPCR experiments manually or using high-throughput liquid handlers (for example i.DOT machine) 

    • Carry out nucleic acid extractions according to specified protocols or work instructions

  • Execute laboratory studies with a 1st time right mentality, leading by example

  • Document experiments according to the Quality management System requirements ensuring timely, neat, complete and accurate records

  • Recognized as Subject Matter Expert in diagnostic research, development and/or manufacturing

  • Contribute to, and where necessary take the lead in trouble shooting and investigations of unexpected results

  • Work proactively to ensure barriers to project execution are removed

Key Competencies

  • Planning and Problem Solving

  • Sense of Urgency and Focus

  • Teamwork & collaboration

  • Attention to detail & continuous learning

Compensation and Benefits at Signatur Biosciences include:

  • Competitive Base Salary (compensation will be based on experience level with requested qualifications).

  • Paid time off policy that includes: 4 weeks, 12 compensatory days and approximately 3 - 5 additional days during year-end holidays.

  • Private medical insurance

    As we continue to grow, our benefits package will evolve. The benefits outlined above are accurate as of the job posting date.

Further information

Signatur Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.