Full job descriptionJob Title: Senior Research Associate - Bioanalysis & Ligand Binding Assays
Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire (On-site)
Contract Type: Until March 2027
About the Opportunity:
Are you a hands-on laboratory scientist looking to take the next step in your career within cutting-edge mRNA therapeutics?
We are currently partnering with a global biopharmaceutical leader at their state-of-the-art facility in Harwell, Oxfordshire. We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join their growing Bioanalytical and Molecular Assays team, focusing on Ligand Binding Assays (LBAs).
Why Apply?
*Dedicated Mentorship: Although you will be part of an established wider department of ~25 scientists, your day-to-day focus will be inside an agile, collaborative core pod of just 3 people. You will be paired 1-to-1 with an experienced Senior Scientist to guide your onboarding, training, and technical development.
*Clear Career Growth: This role is tailored for an ambitious junior-to-mid level scientist looking to build solid regulated industry experience and progress towards full Scientist-level responsibilities.
*Pioneering Science: Contribute directly to clinical-stage assay development and sample analysis supporting transformative mRNA medicine.
What You’ll Be Doing:
*Working hands-on at the laboratory bench executing ligand binding assays (e.g. ELISA, MSD) and cell-based assays.
*Supporting assay development, validation, and regulated clinical sample testing for PK (pharmacokinetics), immunogenicity, and anti-drug antibody (ADA) endpoints.
*Documenting experimental data using Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) and laboratory management systems (e.g. Watson LIMS).
*Maintaining strict compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP/GCLP) quality standards.
*Working closely with your senior mentor to troubleshoot assays and present high-quality data to project teams.
What We’re Looking For:
*Education: BSc or MSc in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related discipline (PhDs with post-grad industry experience are also welcome).
*Industry Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years’ hands-on commercial laboratory experience within a biotechnology company, pharmaceutical organisation, or Contract Research Organisation (CRO).
*(Please note: this role is not suited to fresh graduates without commercial laboratory experience).
*Core Technical Skills: Proven, hands-on experience running plate-based ligand binding assays (ELISA, MSD, ECL, or similar immunoassays).
*Regulatory Awareness: Familiarity with working under GLP or GCLP compliance, including meticulous record-keeping (GMP experience considered).
*Location: Comfortable working 100% on-site at the Harwell science campus.


Randstad Business Support is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.