R&D Scientist

COMPANY BACKGROUND

ŌGI Bio is an award winning University of Edinburgh start-up company specialising in laboratory equipment for automation of microbial growth. Our vision is to revolutionise current practices in microbial culturing by offering our customers affordable and innovative solutions for automation and analysis of microbial culturing. Our automation devices that are also modular and retrofittable, and our increased analytics solution are novel and currently not available. The two together give our customers a flexible base from which to accelerate their innovation by increasing their R&D capability and throughput.

Founded in 2020, OGI Bio continues to grow rapidly as we increase sales and expand our product range. We have a strong background in innovation, including being named inaugural winners of Scottish Edge IBioIC Biotechnology Award, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise Unlocking Ambition and KPMG Tech Innovator of the Year – Scotland Winners in June 2024. Currently, our certified system is already with tens of customers with the customer base expected to grow significantly.

R&D Scientist

ŌGI Bio are seeking an R&D Scientist to support the growth of our company and to contribute to accelerating the potential of our microbial growth automation and analysis equipment. The post is permanent and full-time. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic development team driving new innovation in the company and will report to the CTO/CSO. This position provides the opportunity to shape the development of new products from an early stage, taking ownership of the R&D pipeline and individual products directly. Key responsibilities will include designing, building and testing modules associated with our existing modular automation solution, and for our products for increased analytical tools for microbiology. The successful candidate will also provide key support in other areas including software for control and analysis of the data generated from these products.

We offer a competitive salary package incl. pension, 28 days Annual Leave and company share options on performance milestones. We are strongly committed to equality and diversity of our staff and consider applications on merit and commitment. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a dedicated, dynamic and rapidly growing team that also believes work is fun and rewarding.

It is preferred that applicants should be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.

Apply via https://ogibio.freshteam.com/jobs. Applications are ongoing until the post is filled.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Necessary

• Minimum of Bachelors degree in a relevant subject (e.g. engineering, physics)
• Experience of designing and developing (customised) light scattering analysis hardware (e.g. spectrophotometer, DLS, plate readers, bioreactors)
• Experience of writing code (according to best coding standard and practices) for control of hardware, preferably in applications utilising C++/Arduino IDE.
• Experience of writing software code (according to best coding standard and practices) for recording, extracting and analysing relevant information from laboratory hardware.

Desired

• PhD or MSc in relevant subject (optics, engineering, biological physics)

• Experience of designing and developing customised optical equipment (including microscopes)
• Experience in working cohesively in R&D teams (especially small start-up teams)
• Knowledge of PCB and circuit-board design and assembly
• Basic experience of working in a microbiology laboratory and familiarity with basic wet-lab processes.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Innovative and creative problem solver.
• Takes initiative and responsibility for actions.
• Forward-thinking and able to adjust plans/ priorities accordingly.
• Excellent organisational skills, commitment to goals and outstanding attention to detail.
• A champion of good governance with an ethical and integrity-driven approach and objectivity.
• Passionate about continuous improvement with a positive approach to constructive criticism.
• Strong collaborative, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Builds strong and effective relationships with internal and external teams.
• Adapts personal style to context.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Designing, building, developing and testing of modules associated with OGI Bio’s modular automation system.
• Designing, building, developing and testing solutions for increased analytics of microbial cultures.
• Designing, building, developing and testing software to control and analyse the automation hardware and associated devices

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Very close working relationship with CEO, CTO and rest of the team;
• Suppliers of components;
• Customers and end-users;