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

Requirements

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.

Benefits

About Owlstone Medical

Owlstone Medical is on a mission to save 100,000 lives and $1.5 billion in healthcare costs through the development and application of Breath Biopsy®. This involves collecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and respiratory droplets from breath, which can provide information about metabolic activity and markers related to health and disease.

Breath sampling has substantial advantages for the early detection of disease and to enable precision medicine approaches to patient care. To realize these advantages, Owlstone Medical offers Research Products and Services for biomarker discovery and is developing tests in applications including cancer, liver disease, asthma, and environmental exposure. Our work includes partnerships with major organizations including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, the Cleveland Clinic, and the NHS and our platform is in use at well over 100 clinical and academic sites worldwide.

Our leadership in breath is underpinned by our world-class and varied team, including systems engineers, clinical scientists, analytical chemists, artificial intelligence specialists and clinical trials coordinators.

The Owlstone group also commercializes a range of highly innovative products based on its proprietary FAIMS chemical sensing technology in other markets including Scientific, Industrial Process Control, Military and Homeland Defense.

We offer a relaxed, friendly, flexible and international working environment with a strong and vibrant team-spirit. You will be rewarded with a competitive salary package that includes an Employee share options scheme and private medical insurance and your work will have a clear impact on people’s lives. 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.

We do not accept applications from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list. If you are concerned that your application has not been received by Owlstone Medical, please contact us using

Owlstone is an equal opportunity employer, and we will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on any characteristic protected by law including but not exhaustive to; grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status.

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained and the attainment of a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. Access to selected project information requires prior additional security authorization. Access to US technical data by employees requires prior Export Control function approval. Full clearance must be satisfactorily attained against all applicable project security and US export control authorisations. Failure to meet any reference, BPSS, project-security or export-control authorisations may have an impact on successfully completing your probationary period.

Notice to agencies

Owlstone Medical Ltd politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We don’t accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. Should your agency wish to be considered in our next PSL review please contact