Staff Scientist in Molecular Biology

Job content

Location Waterfront Building, Hammersmith, London, W6 9RH

Application reference SRX2401-MB

Application closing date Until filled

Contract type Full time, permanent

Contact careers@saniarx.com (must include a cover letter and CV)

Start date ASAP

BACKGROUND

Sania Therapeutics (‘Sania’) is an innovative biotechnology company charting a new course in neural circuit therapies. We are developing safe, targeted, and controllable AAV gene therapies for the breadth of diseases where faulty neural circuits are the underlying cause. Our novel approach combines specificity with conditional activation enabling us to develop a gene therapy with a high safety profile, high specificity, that can be delivered at relatively low cost. Our unique approach includes:

Our purpose is to deliver these breakthrough therapies to patients and build a transformative company for our people. We are initially focused on developing treatments for neuromuscular and neuromotor diseases with the plan to expand into further indications in the near future.

Sania is located in a new purpose-build laboratory in Hammersmith, London, UK. 

Our team is made up of academic and industry experts in medicine, neuroscience, electrophysiology and viral vector engineering and we are looking to expand our talent. 

WHY SANIA?

Sania is an equal opportunities employer – we are enriched by our diversity and are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all. We are a values-led enterprise, and our talented employees are our cornerstone. Sania is built on their collective dedication, passion, and enthusiasm.   

We strive to create an environment where our team feel empowered to be their best selves, and where they enjoy working and building both the therapies and our company with us. We offer internal and external developmental opportunities to support their growth. Our employees also receive a competitive salary, private health insurance, dental and optical care, subsidised gym membership, cycle to work scheme, and the opportunity to participate in our share option scheme.    

Informal enquiries about the position can be sent to careers@saniarx.com. Please reference the position number SRX2401-MB in the subject line.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The successful candidate will become part of a close-knit team who are using a combination of synthetic biology and molecular biology. The new hire will be specifically responsible for the culture of various cell lines and IPSC-derived neurons to support ongoing projects. The successful candidate will also be involved in experimental design and will be expected to contribute to team meetings where they will receive feedback from other members of the Sania team.   

To be considered, candidates must have a passion for making a difference in the lives of patients and demonstrate and enthusiastic work ethic. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate experience and competence in some or all the duties described below:  

• Packaging of AAV capsid libraries and associated quality control such as qPCR, protein gels etc.
• Molecular cloning of AAV capsid DNA libraries.
• Generation and maintenance of IPS cells and differentiation/maintenance of these lines into neurons, such as motor neurons.
• DNA/RNA preparations of infected neurons to harvest and sequence capsid DNA.
• Preparation of infected samples for analysis by next generation sequencing.
• Preparing AAVs using novel capsids and identifying and using appropriate quality controls to compare packaging across novel serotypes.
• Cell culture and maintenance of mammalian cell lines.

Qualifications and desirable skills and experience include: 

• A Master’s degree in molecular biology, neuroscience, or a related subject; or equivalent industrial or other work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with other team members.
• Experience of working in an industrial research/biotech laboratory, particularly drug development.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate written and electronic records.
• Demonstratable ability to perform basic laboratory tasks, such as pipetting, volumetric measurements, molar calculations etc.

APPLICATION 

Reach out if you are curious, committed, and collaborative and believe you would be a good fit for this role.  

Please send your cover letter and your CV to careers@saniarx.com. The cover letter should tell us what excites you about this role and specify how your experience suits the points listed above. Please include the reference number SRX2401-MB in the subject line of your email.  

Please note, candidates who do not include a cover letter with their CV will not be considered.