Principal/Senior Assay Development Scientist – Genetic Code Expansion

About the role

Constructive Bio is looking for an experienced assay development scientist to lead the evolution of its proprietary tRNA display platform. The role focuses on improving assay performance, throughput, automation and reproducibility while enabling discovery of novel orthogonal translation machinery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead optimisation, validation and scale‑up of the tRNA display and related screening platforms.
• Design and execute studies to identify technical bias, improve assay robustness and implement quantitative improvements.
• Develop and deploy controls, standards, spike‑ins and quality metrics for reliable data generation.
• Establish high‑throughput, automated workflows and collaborate with bioinformatics for NGS‑based data analysis.
• Author technical reports, SOPs and provide scientific leadership and mentorship across assay programmes.

Required profile

• Significant industry experience in assay development, screening or selection platforms.
• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or equivalent experience.
• Proven track record of taking complex molecular assays from proof‑of‑concept to robust, reproducible workflows.
• Strong hands‑on expertise with RNA, nucleic‑acid technologies and quantitative PCR/NGS library preparation.

Required skills

• RNA handling and in‑vitro transcription
• Reverse transcription and primer/probe design
• Magnetic bead‑based workflows
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• NGS library preparation and data interpretation
• tRNA display, mRNA display, ribosome display, phage display platforms
• Assay optimisation and automation
• High‑throughput screening and Design of Experiments (DoE)
• Quality control metrics and standards implementation

What we offer

• Competitive salary and discretionary annual performance bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension matching up to 8%, life assurance, private medical insurance and group income protection
• Employee long‑term incentive scheme
• Newly fitted, purpose‑built facilities with on‑site parking and excellent rail links
• Collaborative, pioneering environment at the cutting edge of synthetic genomics
• Dog‑friendly office space