Open positions:
- Independent scientist (Ideally PhD graduate, but BSc or Master can work)
- Laboratory assistant, apprentice, or student.
Apply to either role with a CV and cover letter by 21st June 2026: bioengineering@cellularreprogramming.tech
Any questions are welcome.
Location: Company (biotech startup) in a laboratory affiliated with the University of Cambridge.
Start date: 1st September 2026 (ideally)
Working hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (the working hours can be shifted)
Contract: 6-month probation period. Up to 18 months fixed contract, with the possibility extension for up to several years.
About the role:
The role is for a highly motivated scientist to lead a promising large-scale cellular biology screen in a small, early-stage startup aimed at innovating a technology for a novel therapeutic strategy, with applications in a range of diseases and health decline. A PhD in a relevant field is strongly preferred but the role can be adapted to fit scientists with a BSc or Master’s degree. The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out hands-on, lab-based work, including mammalian tissue culture, preparation of cell treatments, DNA cloning, as well as development and analysis of cellular and bioengineering assays (molecular biology). It is a full-time role, but part-time or flexible working hours can be discussed.
Ideal candidate background (but not a requirement): Vesicle biology, synthetic biology, mitochondria, or engineering of cellular organelles/molecules.
Responsibilities:
- The core responsibility will involve culturing mammalian cells and designing, performing, and analysing a cellular screening platform, which includes DNA cloning in bacteria, DNA sequencing, and cellular imaging and sorting.
- You will perform several types of cellular analyses, assay validations and optimisations, and experimental designs.
- Proactively shape the development of a novel bioengineering technology.
- Manage consumables, stock, and laboratory supplies, including other routine laboratory maintenance activities. Manage a continuous plan and log for the cell screen.
- Ideally, read relevant literature and use computational tools to inform the cell screen and assays.
Requirements:
- Be able to work 100% independently, sometimes with only 5 hours of in-person meetings per week. (Not a criteria for the laboratory assistant/apprentice/student role).
- Supervise the laboratory assistant (unless you are efficient enough to not need one).
- Research experience in sterile mammalian tissue culture and molecular biology techniques (including molecular cloning and DNA sequencing).
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in biomedical science, genetics, bioengineering, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related scientific field.
- The ability to generate new ideas will be rewarded (PhD graduates are strongly encouraged to apply).
- High scientific rigour, proactivity, efficiency, and the ability to troubleshoot molecular biology experiments are crucial.
- Manage and document hundreds of samples while maintaining high accuracy, attention to detail, and organisational skills. Adhere to established procedures for all aspects of laboratory work, handle all samples correctly, and maintain all necessary data and records.
- The ability to work in a fast-paced setting, reach milestones with tight deadlines, and have a strong understanding of scientific research principles.
- Open, direct, and fully transparent communication, including about issues.
- We can not sponsor UK visas, unfortunately.
What we offer:
- Opportunity to intellectually shape a novel bioengineering project and continuously suggest optimisations to the cell screen.
- Your own lab bench in a laboratory affiliated with the University of Cambridge.
- Opportunity to make discoveries in a promising early-stage startup that can lead to the eventual development of a new generation of therapeutics that save lives.
- Performance bonuses if you reach milestones: Financial reward, equity in the startup and/or a long-term permanent position.
- The working hours can be adapted beforehand to fit your best performance (including non-standard working hours).
For more information on this role, please write to the following email address: bioengineering@cellularreprogramming.tech
Apply by sending a cover letter and a CV to the same email address, by 21st June 2026.