Team Lead

Senior Scientist – Assay Development (Science Lead)

London/Stevenage

Competitive

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.

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