Research Associate: Media Development

Are you passionate about hands-on lab work and excited to support scientific innovation in cell culture and bioprocessing? We’re looking for a Research Associate to join a collaborative R&D team based in Oxford. This full-time role is a great fit for someone with experience in media preparation and mammalian cell culture, who’s eager to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced and evolving field.

About the Role

As part of the Cell Culture Media Development team, you’ll contribute to media formulation, support mammalian cell culture experiments, and assist in process optimization projects. This is an ideal opportunity for a technically skilled and detail-oriented researcher who enjoys working with precision and collaborating across disciplines to support emerging biotechnologies.

What You’ll Be Doing

Media Preparation:

Prepare chemically defined and serum-free media from powder

Track media components, batches, and lot numbers with precision

Manage inventory and ensure traceability of media formulations

Support experimental media development and optimization workflows
Cell Culture Support:

Maintain and culture mammalian cells across batch, fed-batch, and perfusion systems

Conduct metabolic studies and monitor cell health using assays for growth, viability, and productivity

Contribute to the setup and maintenance of cell-based experiments
Process Development and Analysis:

Support high-throughput screening for media and process improvements using DoE approaches

Participate in bioreactor experiments and help ensure consistency across different scales

Collect and analyze samples for metabolite profiling (HPLC, LC-MS, enzymatic assays)
Lab Operations:

Maintain lab cleanliness and manage equipment upkeep

Ensure compliance with SOPs, safety protocols, and documentation standards

Share responsibility for out-of-hours cell culture maintenance

What We’re Looking For

BSc or MSc in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field

2+ years of hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and media preparation

Familiarity with chemically defined and serum-free media formulations

Basic understanding of cell metabolism and bioprocess development principles

Proficient in data collection, documentation, and laboratory tools

Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills
Ideal Traits

Detail-oriented and committed to accurate record-keeping

Organized, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively

Collaborative, thriving in multidisciplinary team environments

Adaptable and comfortable in a dynamic R&D setting

Clear communicator, both in lab documentation and team discussions

Salary, Benefits & Location

Salary: £28,000 – £35,000 (depending on experience)

Location: Oxford, UK

Benefits: Health benefits, flexible working hours, continuous learning opportunities

Work Environment: Inclusive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture focused on scientific advancement and sustainability

Why Apply?

This is your chance to be part of a forward-thinking team focused on developing scalable, science-driven solutions in the field of cell culture and bioprocessing. Your work will contribute to the advancement of emerging technologies that support more sustainable and efficient production systems