Head of Bio
London/ Oxford/ Birmingham - Hybrid
We’re working on nanotech-augmentation of humans, creating remote-controlled cells inside patients, and we’re growing! MICA is hiring a Head of Bio to lead the antibody and biological side of our platform as we move towards clinical translation.
This is a senior role sitting under the CSO and alongside the Head of Platform. While the Head of Platform is responsible for the physics and engineering of the technology, this post will own the antibody, biological and translational biology workstreams across the business.
We are looking for someone who can operate comfortably across scientific leadership, external partner management and commercial execution in a fast-moving biotech environment.
At MICA, you will help drive the biological strategy behind a novel platform technology as we progress from late preclinical development towards Phase 2a clinical readiness. A central focus of the role will be coordinating in-house and outsourced antibody workstreams, from finalising manufacturing for the final GLP toxicology study, through regulatory preparation, and into clinic-ready GMP manufacturing.
This is an opportunity for a senior scientist who wants to stay close to the science while also playing a meaningful role in the wider commercial life of a venture-backed company.
What you’ll do
🧬 Lead all antibody and biology-related activities across the platform
🧬 Oversee biological workstreams from late preclinical development through regulatory preparation and clinical readiness
🧬 Support manufacturing strategy for GLP toxicology and subsequent GMP production
🧬 Work closely with the CSO, CEO, Head of Platform and external collaborators to align with company milestones
🧬 Contribute data, documentation and scientific rationale for regulatory interactions, including MHRA-related workstreams
🧬 Help assemble supporting data for ongoing patent filings and broader IP strategy
🧬 Provide scientific leadership on antibody expertise reporting to the CSO across the biology function, including guidance to junior team members
🧬 Prepare clear internal reports, track programme deliverables and present progress to leadership and, where relevant, the Board
What we’re looking for
🧬 Senior experience in antibody biology, immunology or related translational bioscience
🧬 A track record spanning both research/lab execution and commercial or programme-facing responsibility
🧬 Experience managing external partners, CROs, collaborators or manufacturing workstreams
🧬 Strong people leadership skills and the ability to guide more junior scientists
🧬 Comfort working in a start-up environment where scientific depth and practical execution matter equally
Relevant experience may include
🧬 Cell culture, immunodetection and cell sorting
🧬 Protein sequencing and antibody engineering
🧬 Molecular and protein characterisation
🧬 Translational biology supporting regulatory submissions
🧬 Antibody development, optimisation and manufacturing handover
Why join MICA
🧬 Help bring a genuinely new concept of a medicine to patients
🧬 A rare chance to shape the biological direction of a highly differentiated therapeutic platform
🧬 Senior visibility across both science and company-building
🧬 Direct exposure to regulatory strategy, IP generation and clinical translation
🧬 Collaboration with the clinical team at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
🧬 The opportunity to work with a team to build a core scientific function at a pivotal stage of company growth
We’re particularly interested in speaking with commercially minded scientific future leaders, senior academic fellows, or biotech operators with R&D lab experience who want broader ownership and the chance to build in a start-up setting.
If that sounds like you, get in touch!