Team Lead

Senior Scientist – Assay Development (Science Lead)

London/Stevenage

Competitive

Is this the next step in your career Find out if you are the right candidate by reading through the complete overview below.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Scientist – Assay Development to lead the development of next-generation diagnostic assays and provide scientific leadership within an innovative, early-stage health technology business, focused on transforming how we understand women’s hormonal health.

This is a senior, hands-on position with responsibility for defining the assay development strategy, leading scientific decision-making, and driving analytical performance from concept through to validation. You will play a critical role in the development of novel diagnostic technologies, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, clinical, regulatory, and product development functions.

The role offers a unique opportunity to influence both scientific direction and product development within a growing organisation designed to study dynamic biological systems, not just static snapshots.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

Assay Development & Scientific Leadership

• Lead the design and development of quantitative immunoassays and related diagnostic technologies
• Define scientific strategy and development roadmaps
• Drive assay optimisation across sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, and stability
• Establish best practice for scientific rigor, experimental design, and data integrity across development activities

Method Development & Validation

• Design and execute analytical validation studies
• Translate laboratory-based assays into scalable diagnostic formats
• Support development of point-of-care, biosensor, microfluidic, or cartridge-based technologies
• Ensure scientific activities are supported by robust statistical analysis and data interpretation

Regulatory & Quality Documentation

• Author and maintain development, validation, and technical documentation
• Ensure documentation meets regulatory and design-control requirements
• Maintain traceable and audit-ready scientific records
• Support future regulatory submissions and technical file development as required

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with engineering, clinical, regulatory, and external collaborators
• Support scientific decision-making across product development activities
• Identify and engage key scientific advisors and external experts
• Contribute technical leadership across strategic projects

Team Development

• Help build scientific capability within the business
• Mentor and support future scientific hires
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, curiosity, and continuous improvement

About You

• A PhD in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Bioengineering, or a related discipline
• Extensive industry experience in assay or diagnostic development
• Deep hands-on experience developing immunoassays, including ELISA-based technologies
• Experience taking assays from concept through validation and ideally towards commercialisation
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and statistical skills
• Experience working with human biological samples such as blood, saliva, or urine
• Excellent scientific communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts clearly
• The ability to work independently and thrive within an entrepreneurial environment

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience with hormone, steroid, or peptide assays
• Experience with point-of-care diagnostics, lateral flow, biosensors, or microfluidics
• Knowledge of lyophilisation or reagent stabilisation approaches
• Familiarity with IVD regulations, design controls, and regulatory submissions
• Experience building or leading scientific teams
• Experience with machine learning or advanced data analysis approaches

Why Join?

• Opportunity to take ownership of a core scientific programme
• Significant influence over scientific strategy and product direction
• Work on innovative diagnostic technologies with real-world healthcare impact
• High degree of autonomy and ownership
• Competitive salary and equity participation opportunity

Location & Working Pattern

• Based in London
• Primarily on-site laboratory-based role
• Opportunity to work closely with multidisciplinary technical and product teams

The Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced assay development scientist to take a leading role within a growing health technology business, helping shape both the science and the product pathway from early-stage innovation through to validated diagnostic solutions. xwzovoh

Apply now by attaching your CV in Word, or contact Paige Keenan ( ) for further information about this opportunity.