Group Leader - Molecular Biology

Location: Oxfordshire
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
Ref: ALS 2070

Agenda are working with a specialist synthetic biology company offering a range of services and technologies to support the discovery, development and production of biologics, with a particular focus on viral vectors for gene therapy applications.

On behalf of our client, we are looking to recruit a Group Leader to be involved in a range of internal platform development and commercial projects, across the wide remit of the Molecular Biology group. This will take a number of specific responsibilities, notably expanding and developing plasmid and synthetic biology toolkit, further contributing to the multiple on-going programmes for viral vector design, engineering and bioproduction, and managing our expanding areas of DNA library design and construction. The Group Leader is expected to provide technical leadership within this area and will act as a subject matter expert within the company.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Day to day management of activities within Molecular Biology laboratories
• Direct line management of Molecular Biology group
• To work closely with internal and external stakeholders to define project goals and deliverables, in line with planned project objectives
• Train and mentor junior staff
• Provide project summaries and reporting, as required, along with taking overall responsibility for output from the group
• Promote and suggest implementation of new methods, technologies and processes to ensure best practice.

Basic Requirements

• A PhD or DPhil in a relevant discipline
• Advanced knowledge of viral vector genetics, and gene editing tools
• Understanding of in-silico tools for DNA design along with good ability to utilise statistical approaches to optimise processes and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of molecular biology techniques and approaches, ideally including automation of DNA assembly platforms, using Gibson, Golden gate methods as appropriate
• Extensive knowledge of subject area, and ideally a strong network within academic or industry groups
• Experience in managing teams, both via direct line management and through matrix management
• Experience in constructing and analysing DNA libraries. 

Agenda and its clients only recruit people who are passionate about animal care and welfare, people with integrity who are honest and trustworthy and who have a great work ethic.  To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive background and pre-employment screening as an essential part of the recruitment process.