Science Lead - Assay Development (Diagnostics & Point of Care)

Senior Scientist, Assay Development (Science Lead)

Location: London, on-site (laboratory currently based in Stevenage; aiming to relocate to London soon)

Salary: Competitive + Equity

We're partnering with an ambitious, venture-backed healthtech company developing a next-generation diagnostic platform designed to bring laboratory-quality hormone testing into the home.

The company is tackling a significant unmet need in healthcare through the development of highly sensitive assays capable of measuring hormones and related biomarkers from non-invasive samples. As they move towards product validation and commercialisation, they are looking for a senior scientific leader to own assay development and shape the scientific strategy of the business.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced assay development scientist who wants to combine hands-on laboratory work with scientific leadership in a fast-growing diagnostics company.

The Opportunity

As the scientific lead for assay development, you will be responsible for driving the design, optimisation, validation and translation of quantitative immunoassays into a point-of-care diagnostic platform.

You'll work at the intersection of biology, chemistry, diagnostics and engineering, collaborating closely with engineers, regulatory specialists and external partners to bring a novel diagnostic product from development through to market.

This is a highly visible role with significant influence over both product development and scientific direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimisation of quantitative immunoassays
• Drive assay performance across sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and stability
• Design and execute analytical validation studies
• Translate laboratory assays into point-of-care, cartridge-based or microfluidic formats
• Establish scientific best practice for experimental design, data quality and statistical analysis
• Generate documentation aligned with regulatory and design-control requirements
• Work closely with engineering, clinical and regulatory teams
• Support external collaborations and scientific advisory relationships
• Contribute to building and mentoring a growing scientific team

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• PhD in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Bioengineering or a related discipline
• Industry experience in assay development, diagnostics or IVD product development
• Strong hands-on expertise in immunoassay development, particularly ELISA-based systems
• Experience developing assays from concept through validation
• Background translating assays into point-of-care, biosensor, lateral flow or microfluidic platforms
• Experience working with biologically relevant samples such as blood, saliva or urine
• Strong experimental design, data analysis and statistical skills
• Experience generating technical and validation documentation within regulated environments
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving start-up or scale-up environment

Highly Desirable

• Hormone assay development experience
• Experience measuring low-abundance analytes
• Point-of-care diagnostics or IVD device development
• Product commercialisation experience
• CE-IVD, UKCA or FDA-regulated product experience
• Team leadership or scientific management experience
• Reagent stabilisation or lyophilisation experience

Why Apply?

• Own the scientific strategy behind a breakthrough diagnostic product
• Lead assay development from early-stage innovation through commercial launch
• Join a mission-driven business addressing a major unmet healthcare need
• Work directly with senior leadership and influence company direction
• Competitive salary and meaningful equity participation
• Opportunity to build and lead a science function as the company grows

Interested in learning more? Apply with an up-to-date CV for a confidential discussion.