Assay Development Scientist
20 hours ago
Sheffield
A rapidly growing biotechnology company is seeking an Assay Development Scientist to drive the end-to-end development of single-molecule assay kits for pharmaceutical research applications. This is a hands-on, cross-functional position bridging product design and manufacturing — ideal for a scientist who combines technical depth with practical experience in developing robust, scalable assay products. You’ll convert product specifications into validated, manufacturable kits optimized for advanced single-molecule detection platforms. The remit spans feasibility assessment, experimental design, optimization, validation, and technology transfer, ensuring each product meets rigorous scientific and operational standards. Key Responsibilities • Translate product specifications into experimental objectives and development plans., • Assess assay feasibility, component compatibility, and manufacturability within single-molecule workflows., • Develop and optimize fluorescence-based assays (e.g. smFRET, FCS, FCCS)., • Design and execute analytical validation studies for sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility., • Define and implement quality control criteria and documentation for manufacturing transfer., • Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Management to ensure seamless scale-up., • Provide technical data and support for pharmaceutical customer applications. Essential Skills and Experience • PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline., • Proven track record in assay development, optimization, and validation for industrial or pharmaceutical use., • Experience translating research assays into reproducible kit formats., • Strong experimental design and quantitative analytical skills., • Excellent documentation and communication abilities., • Proven success managing cross-functional development projects. Preferred • Hands-on experience with single-molecule fluorescence techniques (smFRET, FCS, FCCS)., • Expertise in biochemical assay development for proteins, nucleic acids, or complex molecular systems., • Familiarity with pharmaceutical assay development, kinetics, or screening., • Exposure to design-for-manufacture, GLP, or ISO 13485-aligned frameworks. The Offer • Competitive salary, • Share options, • 4% employer pension contribution, • 26 days annual leave, • On-site, collaborative R&D environment, • Opportunity to shape a new generation of high-performance molecular assays for the pharmaceutical industry