RSSL Senior Scientist I - DNA and Protein

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge Contract Research Organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and food sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 60 countries.

In 2019, we were recognised as OBN’s Best CRO, Women in Business Enlightened Employer and Business of the Year award winners.

Enriched by our parent company Mondelēz International, our diverse team includes 22 nationalities from 300 members, creating a family feel as we strive towards our mission of science enhancing lives.

How you will contribute

The role at Senior Scientist I is to provide technical direction and managerial responsibilities within the DNA & Protein laboratory. Play a key role in ensuring that projects are performed and supervised effectively and accurately within agreed timescales and to appropriate quality standards. This role focuses on routine and investigative analyses of products and method development and validations using techniques such as PCR and ELISA. Manage and train junior members of the Sample Prep and PCR team as required. Client contact and administrative support for laboratory management.

You will provide technical direction and leadership—which includes training and mentoring junior team members—in the laboratory to ensure that complex projects are completed on time and with the appropriate analytical and regulatory standards. In this role, you will review and approve scientific reports, method development and validations, authorize competencies in your area of expertise and independently perform complex method development and design validations protocols. In addition, you will maintain and troubleshoot lab equipment, ensure a clean, tidy and safe working environment, and perform and approve risk assessments. Excellent communication skills will be required of you because you will write technical reports, check data, offer interpretations of results and interact with internal and external holders using influencing and presentation skills to present project proposals and results.

What you will bring

A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge:

- Laboratory requirements and practices
- Analytical technology in your area of expertise and the desire to develop in-depth and broader technical expertise
- Scientific understanding and the ability to independently conduct chemical analysis in relevant area
- Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build your network and technical credibility with external clients and internal teams
- Problem solving and planning resources to maintain a consistent workflow to deliver projects
- Organizational skills, including time management and priority setting

Education / Certifications:

- Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory.

Job specific requirements: Excellent understanding of basic lab equipment and use of Real Time PCR machine, ELISA Plate Reader, Gel Imaging Equipment. Scientific understanding and ability to independently conduct chemical analysis in relevant area. Good knowledge of laboratory quality and accreditation systems (GMP/UKAS)

Travel requirements:

There is no regular need to travel for this role. There may be occasions where team members are required to attend and/or present at external conferences and functions. There may also be times where there is a business requirement to work at the main RSSL site in Reading.

Work schedule:

09:00 - 17:00 Mondays to Thursdays

09:00 - 16:45 Fridays

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