Senior Molecular Biologist

Exciting Opportunity: Senior Molecular Biologist (Gene Synthesis Start-up)

Are you a hands-on molecular biologist who enjoys turning science into real-world solutions? We are looking for a Molecular Biologist to join an early-stage biotech bringing a gene synthesis technology to market. Your focus will be on commercial implementation. You''ll tackle customer-driven challenges head-on, solving problems and adapting approaches to meet real-world constraints and deliver results.

Job Title: Senior Molecular Biologist
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Location: London
Salary: DOE

About the Organisation

You''ll be joining a biotech start-up focused on bringing a gene synthesis platform to market. The team is small, ambitious, and technically driven, working at the intersection of molecular biology and automation.

With support from Innovate UK, the business is moving rapidly from concept through validation and toward commercialisation.

The Role of the Senior Molecular Biologist

This is a hands-on, lab-focused role, working as part of a small core team to develop and refine process workflows that underpin a commercial gene synthesis offering.

You''ll take ownership of key work packages, contributing directly at the bench while collaborating closely with internal colleagues and external partners to solve complex technical challenges.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing, executing, and troubleshooting molecular biology workflows related to gene synthesis
• Owning and driving iterative experimental cycles to improve performance, robustness, and scalability
• Developing and maintaining SOPs and documentation
• Collaborating with external partners to replicate and internalise key technical capabilities
• Establish protocols on automated liquid handling platforms to enable commercial scale
• Operating and optimising sequencing platforms, including Nanopore and Sanger sequencing
• Analysing sequencing and experimental data, including use of Python-based tools
• Contributing to broader strategy discussions as the platform evolves toward commercialisation

The Ideal Candidate for the Molecular Biologist Role

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A strong foundation in molecular biology, with proven hands-on troubleshooting experience
• A highly practical mindset with a genuine enthusiasm for bench science and iteration
• Familiarity with automated liquid handling systems
• Experience operating Nanopore and Sanger sequencing platforms
• Experience working within industry and have commercial acumen
• Working knowledge of Python for scientific or sequencing data analysis
• Excellent documentation and communication skills
• The ability to take ownership of a workstream and drive it independently
• Experience working in a commercial gene synthesis setting

Nice to have (Not essential):

• Project management skills
• Experience in synthetic chemistry pertinent to DNA synthesis

Background & Mindset

This role is best suited to someone who:

• Focused: on leading and delivering scientific work in a commercial setting. Comfortable with working with the goal of meeting commercial objectives.
• Has experience across both structured environments (e.g. larger organisations) and fast-moving or early-stage settings
• Is comfortable working with ambiguity, evolving priorities, and high autonomy
• Enjoys solving problems without predefined answers
• Is collaborative, pragmatic, and motivated by building something new

Project management experience is beneficial, but not essential.

Growth Opportunity

This role offers a clear pathway towards senior oversight. As the company grows, you will have the opportunity to:

• Identify, hire and oversee lab technicians to support in processing
• Build and mentor a growing scientific team
• Contribute to external partnerships, fundraising, and strategic planning

Why This Role?

This is a genuinely unique opportunity for a scientist who wants to:

• Stay hands-on in the lab while influencing company direction
• Work on high-impact technology
• Be part of a foundational team in a start-up environment

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.