Flow Cytometry Tech Lead
2 days ago
Portishead
We are seeking an experienced Flow Cytometry Leader to head the Flow Cytometry Facility, providing high‑quality, high‑throughput cytometry support across Discovery and Biotherapeutics programmes. This is a senior scientific role combining hands-on technical expertise, facility leadership, and strategic capability development in a drug discovery environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled cytometrist to shape scientific direction, mentor teams, and drive innovation within a global, science‑led organization. Key ResponsibilitiesScientific & Technical Leadership • Lead the operation, development, and strategic growth of the Flow Cytometry Facility, • Design, optimise, and validate complex multi‑parameter flow cytometry panels (analysis and sorting), • Develop novel assay formats to meet emerging discovery and biotherapeutics needs, • Provide expert guidance on experimental design, marker selection, gating strategies, and data interpretation, • Act as technical lead for flow cytometry in internal, external, and vendor collaborations, • Support discovery drug pipeline programmes, including immunology and preclinical assay development Instrumentation & Technology • Oversee performance of all flow cytometers and cell sorters, including daily QC, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance, • Coordinate service support and manage instrument uptime and reliability, • Evaluate, implement, and integrate new cytometry technologies (e.g. spectral, high‑parameter, imaging flow cytometry), • Lead procurement of new instrumentation and software, including CAPEX justification and budget planning Facility Management & People Leadership • Develop and deliver training programmes for users at all experience levels, • Mentor and coach scientific staff and junior cytometry specialists, • Supervise facility staff and coordinate team workflows where applicable, • Establish and maintain SOPs, documentation standards, and quality records, • Drive continuous improvement, automation, and workflow optimisation, • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and biosafety requirements Data, Software & Digital Systems • Act as an expert user of FlowJo and advanced analysis tools, • Oversee secure data management, traceability, and retrieval of cytometry datasets, • Identify and implement software or platform upgrades to improve insight and efficiency Collaboration & Communication • Clearly communicate scientific data, strategy, and facility updates to stakeholders, • Represent flow cytometry at internal leadership forums and cross‑site technical groups, • Provide technical input to business development, proposals, client discussions, and scientific scoping Qualifications & Experience Essential • MSc in a relevant scientific discipline (or equivalent experience), • Extensive hands-on flow cytometry experience in research or drug discovery, • Proven expertise in multi‑colour panel design, optimisation, analysis, and cell sorting, • Strong background in QC, troubleshooting, and instrument management, • Experience leading, mentoring, and training scientific teams, • Excellent communication and influencing skills, • Ability to work on site in Portishead, with flexibility for external engagement as needed