Development Technician

Are you someone who enjoys hands-on laboratory work, takes pride in precision, and thrives in a structured, detail-driven environment? Looking to be part of an early-stage biotech where your work directly impacts scientific output and quality?

We are recruiting for a Development Technician to join an innovative biotech startup as one of their first laboratory hires, supporting the development of advanced human cell-based models used in research and drug discovery.

This role is ideal for someone with strong practical lab skills who enjoys cell culture, sample preparation, and maintaining high-quality, repeatable laboratory processes.

About the opportunity:

This is a 14-month contract (with potential to move into a permanent role) within a newly established lab environment.

The role requires flexibility for occasional weekend work, with time taken back during the week.

Working closely with scientific leadership, you'll play a key role in ensuring lab operations run smoothly and data is generated to a consistently high standard.

In this role, you will:

• Carry out routine cell culture and 3D culture workflows
• Support preparation, processing, and handling of biological samples
• Perform tissue processing, sectioning, staining, and microscopy preparation
• Assist with immunostaining and imaging workflows
• Prepare reagents, media, and laboratory materials
• Carry out quality control checks on experiments and outputs
• Maintain accurate records, batch logs, and documentation
• Support development of standardised protocols and reproducible workflows
• Identify and flag technical issues early and assist with troubleshooting
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised lab environment
• Manage stock, consumables, and laboratory inventory

Skills & Experience:

• Degree or equivalent practical experience in a biological science discipline
• Ideally working towards, or holding, a PhD OR strong exposure to research-level lab environments
• Hands-on laboratory experience (academic, biotech, healthcare, or industry)
• Experience with histology (e.g., tissue embedding, cryosectioning) and immunohistochemistry
• Experience with stem cells, organoids, or 3D culture systems is advantageous
• Familiarity with QC processes, SOPs, or regulated lab environments is beneficial
• Experience within biotech, pharma, or research settings is desirable
• Comfortable using Excel, lab systems, or image analysis tools
• Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving priorities

Why you will love working here:

• Salary between £30,000 and £38,000, depending on experience
• Be one of the first hires in a high-potential biotech startup
• Pension scheme
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and official closure days over the Christmas period.