6,268 Research Scientist jobs in the United Kingdom

We are seeking aResearch Scientistto support exploratory research and in vitro assay development within a multidisciplinary Antibody & Novel Therapeutics team. The role focuses on advancing nucleic acid sciences and progressing new drug modalities.

Key responsibilities

• Evaluate nucleic acid modalities (DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides) as therapeutic candidates
• Investigate non-viral delivery systems, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)
• Design and execute cell-based assays using cell lines and primary immune cells
• Analyse data, troubleshoot, and contribute to project reporting and decision-making
• Collaborate across teams to support early-stage drug discovery

Requirements

• BSc/MSc/PhD in cell biology, immunology, or related field
• Strong experience in cell culture, including primary immune cells
• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid technologies (ASO, siRNA, mRNA, CRISPR)
• Familiarity with delivery systems such as LNPs or viral carriers
• Skilled in flow cytometry, qPCR, and imaging
• Strong teamworking and communication skills

This role is offered on an initial 12 month contract with potential for extension.

Apply to VRS today!

Keywords: nucleic acid, DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, ASO, siRNA, mRNA, CRISPR, LNPs, lipid nanoparticles, drug delivery, flow cytometry, qPCR, cell culture, immunology, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotherapeutic, industry, Berkshire, Reading, Slough, London,VRS9156SE

We are looking to hire several contract Research Scientists with expertise in computer systems and AI infrastructure to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of computer systems, machine learning, and distributed systems. These roles are ideal for recent PhD graduates seeking industrial research experience, or for exceptional B.Sc. or M.Sc. graduates looking to deepen their research skills in an industry setting. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in one or more of the following areas: operating systems, distributed systems, and machine learning systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Rapid Prototyping: Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to quickly develop and test proof-of-concept prototypes, validating research ideas in real-world, industrial environments.
• Performance Optimization: Perform detailed profiling and optimization of operating systems and large-scale distributed systems, leveraging a range of heterogeneous hardware (e.g., CPU, NPU) for enhanced performance.
• Research Publications: Transform research findings and innovative contributions into high-impact publications in top-tier academic journals and conferences.
• Technical Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation outlining research methods, design decisions, and implementation specifics to ensure reproducibility and support internal knowledge sharing.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate research progress, performance insights, and key outcomes to internal stakeholders through clear and engaging presentations.

Required:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Be comfortable with research methodology.
• Have an in-depth understanding of operating systems and/or distributed systems and/or cloud computing and/or machine learning algorithms.
• Good programming skills, master of at least one language, such as C/C++.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Desired:

• PhD in operating systems, distributed systems, machine learning, or a related field.
• Published papers in top journals/conferences focused on systems (NSDI, EuroSys, SoCC, OSDI etc.) and/or machine learning (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR).
• Experience in the full lifecycle of developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale cloud production systems, demonstrating expertise in scalability, reliability, and performance optimization.

£3M Seed-Funded BioTech Startup | Early Discovery & Innovation

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a Seed-stage BioTech startup that has recently raised £3M to accelerate its mission of building breakthrough therapies through cutting-edge biological research and technology innovation.

As one of the company’s early scientific hires , you’ll be hands-on in the lab, helping design and run experiments that shape the foundation of their R&D strategy. This is a rare chance to join a startup at the ground floor — where your ideas, energy, and expertise will directly drive scientific and company progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyse experiments that push forward the company’s core research programs.
• Develop, optimise, and validate new assays, protocols, and workflows from scratch.
• Maintain clear and accurate records — including electronic lab notebooks and internal reports.
• Present findings to the founding and cross-functional team, helping inform scientific and strategic direction.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, computational scientists, and biologists to rapidly iterate and innovate.
• Stay on top of new techniques, emerging literature, and technologies that could accelerate discovery.
• Contribute to building lab operations, culture, and best practices in a growing startup setting.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• PhD in Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry , or related field (Master’s with strong practical experience also considered).
• Postdoctoral or early industry research experience is a plus — but curiosity, creativity, and impact matter most.

Technical Skills

• Strong hands-on experience in molecular and/or cellular biology.
• Comfortable analysing data using tools like R, Python, or Prism .
• Experience working in a startup, translational, or cross-disciplinary environment is an advantage.

Soft Skills

• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, resourceful environment.
• Excellent communicator with strong problem-solving and scientific reasoning.
• Collaborative team player who enjoys wearing multiple hats in a small team.
• Passionate about innovation and motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary + equity in a high-potential startup.
• The opportunity to be part of the founding scientific team shaping both the science and the company.
• Clear career growth as the company scales beyond Seed stage.
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where every experiment counts.

If this sounds like you, you'll fit right in.

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• Lead the design and execution of ambitious research projects in biotechnology, with a focus on developing novel therapeutics for unmet medical needs.
• Direct and mentor a team of research scientists and technicians, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research environment.
• Develop and implement innovative experimental strategies using advanced molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics techniques.
• Critically analyse complex biological data, interpret results, and draw robust conclusions to guide research direction.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals and secure external funding for research initiatives.
• Publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present research at international conferences.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical development departments.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant ethical guidelines, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols within the laboratory.
• Identify emerging scientific trends and technologies relevant to the company's strategic goals.
• Contribute to the intellectual property strategy through patent filings and disclosures.

• A Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biotechnology, or a closely related life science discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral research experience in an academic or industrial R&D setting.
• A distinguished track record of publications in leading scientific journals and successful grant acquisition.
• Extensive hands-on experience with advanced techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, next-generation sequencing (NGS), mammalian cell culture, protein expression and purification, and various assay development platforms.
• Proven experience in leading and managing research projects and scientific teams.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes.
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information effectively.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to identify and pursue novel research opportunities.
• Experience in bioinformatics and computational biology is advantageous.

• Designing and implementing advanced genomic research projects, including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) experiments.
• Developing and optimizing protocols for DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, and sequencing.
• Analyzing large-scale genomic datasets using bioinformatics tools and statistical methods.
• Interpreting genomic data to identify disease markers, understand biological pathways, and drive therapeutic insights.
• Managing and maintaining genomic research infrastructure, including sequencing platforms and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Collaborating with internal and external research groups to foster new scientific partnerships.
• Preparing high-impact research publications for peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at scientific conferences.
• Mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior scientists and research assistants.
• Ensuring strict adherence to all laboratory safety protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Contributing to the development of grant proposals and securing research funding.

• PhD in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience or equivalent industry experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and associated workflows.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and software for genomic data analysis (e.g., R, Python, Bioconductor).
• Strong understanding of molecular biology techniques and genetic principles.
• Proven ability to design, execute, and interpret complex scientific experiments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong publication record in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for scientific reporting and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of a remote research team.

• Lead independent research projects focused on the discovery and development of biologic drugs (e.g., antibodies, proteins, vaccines).
• Design, optimize, and perform complex in vitro and in vivo experiments.
• Analyze and interpret large datasets, employing advanced statistical methods.
• Develop and implement novel assays and technologies for biological research.
• Author high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
• Mentor and guide junior research scientists and postdoctoral fellows.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical development.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent applications.
• Ensure adherence to all laboratory safety regulations and ethical guidelines.
• Manage research budgets and resources effectively.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements and competitive landscape in biologics research.

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral research experience in the biopharmaceutical industry or equivalent academic setting, with a strong focus on biologics.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading research projects and delivering impactful scientific outcomes.
• Extensive hands-on experience with a wide range of molecular and cellular biology techniques relevant to biologics development.
• Proven expertise in assay development, validation, and characterization of biologic molecules.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and team collaboration abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R).
• Experience with bioinformatics tools is a plus.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes.

• Lead and direct scientific research projects in biotechnology.
• Design and execute complex experiments and develop novel research methodologies.
• Analyze and interpret sophisticated scientific data to derive meaningful conclusions.
• Contribute to the development of new products, processes, or therapeutic solutions.
• Author scientific manuscripts, patents, and research reports.
• Collaborate with a global network of scientists and research partners.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers, fostering scientific excellence.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements and emerging technologies.

• PhD in a relevant life science discipline (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology).
• Minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral and industry research experience in biotechnology.
• Proven track record of scientific innovation and achievement, including publications and/or patents.
• Expertise in a specialized area of biotechnology (e.g., molecular biology, genetics, cell biology).
• Strong experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing research projects.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively and autonomously in a remote research environment.