We are seeking an experienced Flow Cytometry Leader to head the Flow Cytometry Facility, providing high‑quality, high‑throughput cytometry support across Discovery and Biotherapeutics programmes. This is a senior scientific role combining hands-on technical expertise, facility leadership, and strategic capability development in a drug discovery environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled cytometrist to shape scientific direction, mentor teams, and drive innovation within a global, science‑led organization.
Key ResponsibilitiesScientific & Technical Leadership
- Lead the operation, development, and strategic growth of the Flow Cytometry Facility
- Design, optimise, and validate complex multi‑parameter flow cytometry panels (analysis and sorting)
- Develop novel assay formats to meet emerging discovery and biotherapeutics needs
- Provide expert guidance on experimental design, marker selection, gating strategies, and data interpretation
- Act as technical lead for flow cytometry in internal, external, and vendor collaborations
- Support discovery drug pipeline programmes, including immunology and preclinical assay development
Instrumentation & Technology
- Oversee performance of all flow cytometers and cell sorters, including daily QC, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance
- Coordinate service support and manage instrument uptime and reliability
- Evaluate, implement, and integrate new cytometry technologies (e.g. spectral, high‑parameter, imaging flow cytometry)
- Lead procurement of new instrumentation and software, including CAPEX justification and budget planning
Facility Management & People Leadership
- Develop and deliver training programmes for users at all experience levels
- Mentor and coach scientific staff and junior cytometry specialists
- Supervise facility staff and coordinate team workflows where applicable
- Establish and maintain SOPs, documentation standards, and quality records
- Drive continuous improvement, automation, and workflow optimisation
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and biosafety requirements
Data, Software & Digital Systems
- Act as an expert user of FlowJo and advanced analysis tools
- Oversee secure data management, traceability, and retrieval of cytometry datasets
- Identify and implement software or platform upgrades to improve insight and efficiency
Collaboration & Communication
- Clearly communicate scientific data, strategy, and facility updates to stakeholders
- Represent flow cytometry at internal leadership forums and cross‑site technical groups
- Provide technical input to business development, proposals, client discussions, and scientific scoping
Qualifications & Experience Essential
- MSc in a relevant scientific discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Extensive hands-on flow cytometry experience in research or drug discovery
- Proven expertise in multi‑colour panel design, optimisation, analysis, and cell sorting
- Strong background in QC, troubleshooting, and instrument management
- Experience leading, mentoring, and training scientific teams
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Ability to work on site in Portishead, with flexibility for external engagement as needed