Associate Analytical Research & Development Scientist

Owlstone Medical’s mission is to save 100,000 lives and save health care providers $1.5B, with several major projects underway to develop disease screening and diagnostics based on detection of volatile metabolic products on breath. Owlstone Medical has a new entry level Associate Scientist position available within our analytical science department. We are looking for someone, preferably with GC experience and good analytical and technical skills to help develop and run our TD-GC-MS methodologies for biomarker discovery.

Primary Duties

• Safety review and ordering of chemicals
• Preparation of solutions.
• Preparation of samples
• Usage of analytical instrumentation (TD-GC-MS)
• Basic instrumental troubleshooting
• Design of experiments
• Routine data processing: targeted and untargeted feature extraction

Secondary Duties

• Undertake experiments intrinsic to Owlstone Medical assay/application product development projects with a focus on TD-GC-MS method/development.
• Ensure experimental work adheres to department processes.
• Maintain accurate up to date Laboratory records.
• Other duties as assigned per qualifications.

Competencies

The following competencies form the core strength of analytical science department, you will have a working knowledge of the below competencies, and will be able to apply them in non-complex situations under supervisions.

• Research - The ability to conduct, objective, logical, and systematic method of analysis phenomena devised to permit the accumulation of reliable knowledge
• Protocols - The ability of how to follow and validate protocols and understanding of the importance to spot, raise and resolve nonconformities and track through to a root cause analysis of any outside tolerance deviations
• Data Management - Understanding the pertinency of the data collection, data entry and verification process and data management systems
• Dissemination of Findings - The ability to report results using the various dissemination formats available for different target audiences. Understands the importance of clear communication adapted in a manner suitable for the audience
• Analytical Concept - The understanding of the rationale, theory, and subject matter in a particular scientific discipline to allow the appropriate application within an analytical role. (e.g Applying knowledge of basic chemical concepts and theories to set research questions with appropriate confidence limits, choose correct analysis technique and proficient instrument operation).
• Facilities and Safety - Has the ability to assess the appropriateness of laboratory function against business deliverables and justify/implement the change when required. Also understands the importance of compliance to processes that are there to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Pre-analytical - Has the ability to design, implement and evaluate the appropriateness of sampling methodologies and sample preparation.
• Analysis - Has the ability to perform routine and non-routine analysis and understands when the applied technique is fit for purpose and what associated quality control activities are required to ensure that the technique remains within established ranges and limits. When technique deviates from those established ranges and limits will be able to effectively troubleshoot.
• Critical evaluation of data - Has the ability to evaluate and ensure the accuracy of data as well as spot real and non-real trends to provide an answer with confidence limits to either fulfill a customer contract or research question

Education and Training

• The successful candidate is likely to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant analytical science discipline.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of working in a laboratory environment

Desirable

• Experience of processing primary GC data into informative secondary data.
• Practical experience of working with GC systems.
• Experience of working with MS instruments.
• Ability to spot issues or opportunities for process improvement and escalate to work package lead

Professional Skills

• Ability to follow procedures accurately.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks to a consistent standard.
• High attention to detail.
• Flexible approach to changing priorities.
• Good time management skills
• Good data entry skills.
• Ability to work and communicate well within a team.

About Owlstone Medical 

Owlstone Medical’s vision is to save 100,000 lives by realizing the enormous promise of breath-based diagnostics through the development and application of Breath Biopsy®, a unique platform capable of both biomarker discovery and use in routine clinical testing. 

The platform includes ReCIVA®, a proprietary sample collection device that can take stable breath samples anywhere, the world’s only commercial-scale Breath Biopsy Laboratory located in Cambridge, U.K., and the Breath Biopsy VOC Atlas, the most extensive catalogue of identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found on breath. The Company’s technology is protected by over 160 granted and pending patents and has been used in more 100 research papers. 

Owlstone Medical’s Research Products and Services are being deployed at over 200 sites around the world with large pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions as well as major charitable and government organisations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the US Department of Defense. Projects are supported by Breath Biopsy OMNI®, the most advanced solution for reliable end-to-end global breath VOC analysis, which is helping researchers advance biomarker discovery and disease research and maximizing the chances of finding clinically relevant breath biomarkers. 

The Company has a portfolio of Breath Biopsy tests in development for the early detection of lung cancer and liver disease, both areas of high unmet clinical need that represent multi-billion dollar market opportunities. In digestive health, under the OMED Health brand, clinical tests for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption are on market in the U.K., and a handheld device and app for longitudinal monitoring of digestive health has recently been launched. 

We offer a relaxed, friendly, flexible and international working environment with a strong and vibrant team-spirit. If you want to experience the buzz of a thriving start-up company set to succeed on a global scale, Owlstone Medical could be the place for you.

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