Research Leader Flow Cytometry

For 75years Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences finance IT sales or another area your skills will play an important role in the work we return well help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

Are you ready to build and lead a cutting-edge spectral flow cytometry platform that shapes the future of immunology-driven drug discovery

Can you translate deep cytometry expertise into high-impact client solutions and innovative scientific strategy

We are excited to offer a new opportunity in Flow Cytometry at our Portishead site.

Our Research Leaders and Senior Research Leaders within our Discovery teams at Portishead play a pivotal part in the development and implementation of innovative scientific strategy.

These are senior positions with requirements to perform within the lab and to provide scientific leadership to multidisciplined teams within Discovery.

Job Description

Lead and develop the site Flow Cytometry capability acting as the scientific and operational owner of the flow cytometry facility.

Drive the implementation optimisation and adoption of the new spectral cytometer including orientation validation and establishment of best practices.

Ensure full platform utilisation and return on investment (ROI) through:

• Proactive internal marketing (launching the technology across Discovery and to clients).
• Enabling new assay development and innovative applications.
• Expanding client-facing flow cytometry offerings.

Act as a cross-divisional Subject Matter Expert (SME) in flow cytometry supporting programs across Discovery and other Business Units.

Develop and implement advanced flow cytometry assays particularly in immunology-focused areas (immuno-oncology autoimmune disease inflammation infection microbiome).

Define and deliver training programs for all flow users ensuring competency in:

• Conventional and spectral cytometry principles and panel design.
• Instrument operation and troubleshooting.
• Advanced data analysis and interpretation.

Drive innovation in cytometry technologies including multiplexing high-dimensional analysis and integration with other platforms (omics imaging etc.).

Partner with BD Client Services (CS) and wider Discovery teams to introduce new flow-based capabilities into client programs and position the site as a leader in cytometry.

Demonstrate strong business awareness using flow cytometry expertise to:

• Shape site and cross-Discovery strategy.
• Develop new assays models and platform-based offerings.

Lead development of complex in vitro cell biology capabilities with strong application of flow cytometry to immune-related assays.

Guide and/or direct immunology disease models (autoimmune inflammation infection) with a focus on flow-based and ex vivo endpoint analysis.

Support and integrate molecular biology and genetic manipulation approaches with flow cytometry readouts.

Broaden capability beyond flow where relevant (e.g. Incucyte ELISpot Luminex high content imaging) while maintaining flow cytometry as the primary technical anchor.

Identify evaluate and introduce novel cytometry technologies and workflows to enhance site and cross-site capabilities.

Drive innovation-led growth by aligning cytometry capabilities with client needs and emerging scientific trends.

Contribute to external positioning showcasing the spectral cytometry platform and capabilities to clients and collaborators.

Lead or deputy lead FTE/FFS and IDD client projects ensuring strategic alignment and scientific excellence.

Act as primary contact for clients particularly on projects involving flow cytometry or complex immunophenotyping.

Design and deliver complex flow-driven project plans that meet client timelines budgets and scientific objectives.

Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure efficient execution of cytometry-intensive workflows.

Establish a structured training framework for flow cytometry users at all levels.

Mentor and coach scientists in:

• Experimental design using spectral cytometry.
• Panel design and data quality control.
• Data interpretation and troubleshooting.

Skills and Qualifications

PhD within a relevant scientific discipline or MSc within a relevant scientific discipline with significant time in industry.
Extensive publications list
Significant lab-based experience within the drug discovery sector.
Proven project leadership skills including managing multidisciplinary teams finances and creation of project plans with track record in achieving scientific milestones consistently.
Strong influencing and people skills able to foster a positive working environment that drives scientific innovation and aligns to the overall Discovery strategy.
Passionate about working within the drug discovery sector able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the industry.
Proven ability to develop and train junior team members and work with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to concisely and accurately present own results and those of others via slide decks teleconference videoconference written report or face-to-face as appropriate.
Expertise across immuno-oncology autoimmune disease inflammation (inc. neuroinflammation) infection or microbiome programs.
Techniques which may include: flow cytometry Incucyte ELISpot Luminex high content imaging complex primary cell culture molecular biology omics and standard biochemical techniques.
Experience in aspects of immune-related assays supporting immuno-oncology autoimmune disease inflammation (inc. neuroinflammation) infection or microbiome programs.
Identify ways to increase throughput or expand assay/model portfolio.

Advantageous but not essential:

Experience with spectral cytometry.
Previous experience from another CRO or biotech.
Significant scientific leadership experience managing multiple integrated projects or programmes across different sites and divisions.
Able to manage and resolve more complex technical and personnel issues can liaise with other managers and peers in implementing solutions.
Demonstrates high-quality decision making which impacts positively on project deliverables.
Maintains a strong awareness of the relevant scientific literature and contemporary laboratory practices sharing knowledge widely.
Helping to define strategy and leading new assay/model/platform development at the site and across Discovery.
Experience in autoimmunity inflammation and infection or neuroinflammation with ex vivo endpoint analysis.
Support the design of complex programs of work which meet clients needs.
Strong focus on innovation playing a key role in defining site strategy and leading new assay/model/platform development at the site and across Discovery.
Design complex programs of work which meet clients needs and work with the operational teams to ensure successful delivery.
Utilise this to raise awareness of site capabilities.

What We Offer You

At Charles River Discovery UK we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees health wellbeing and professional growth. A generous Bonus and non-contributory pension health dental and much more.

About Discovery
Discovery from Charles River is industry-proven in the successful development of novel therapies with over 350patents and 80preclinical drug candidates delivered to our sponsors in the past 17 years. Backed by more than 650 scientists our comprehensive integrated portfolio employs the latest technology and platforms to provide chemistry biology and pharmacology services that support clients from the earliest stages of hit identification all the way through to IND. Our client-focused collaborative approach creates true partnerships that anticipate challenges overcome obstacles and move us forward together on the journey of getting new drugs to market.

About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model which reduces their costs enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies biotechnology companies government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of peoples lives. Our mission our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

At Charles River Laboratories we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to the principle of diversity and inclusion and work daily in this direction.

Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1