Relation is an end-to-end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single-cell multi-omics directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure.

This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting double collaboration with GSK to tackle fibrosis and osteoarthritis, alongside advancing our own internal osteoporosis programme. By combining our cutting-edge ML capabilities with their deep expertise in drug discovery, this partnership underscores our commitment to pioneering science and delivering impactful therapies to patients.

We are rapidly scaling our technology and discovery teams, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the most innovative TechBio companies. Be part of our dynamic, interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely to redefine the boundaries of possibility in drug discovery. Our state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, located in the heart of London, provide an exceptional environment to foster interdisciplinarity and turn groundbreaking ideas into positive impact for patients.

We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. Relation is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age. We cultivate innovation through collaboration, empowering every team member to do their best work and develop to their highest potential.

By joining Relation, you will be part of an exceptionally talented team, with extraordinary leverage to advance the field of drug discovery. Your work will shape our culture, strategic direction, and, most importantly, impact patients’ lives.

The Opportunity

Relation has an excellent opportunity for a 2 year fixed-term contract (with potential for extension) for a Senior Scientist to join a unique project conducted between the tissue profiling and innovation teams. This role will be exceptionally interdisciplinary, generating single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data in the lab and driving the analysis and interpretation leveraging our state-of-the-art compute environment, working within highly collaborative teams of experimental and computational drug discovery researchers in our newly built state-of-the-art functional genomics lab in London.

In this senior scientist role, you will be specialising in single-cell processes and spatial biology and exploratory data analysis. Your work will play a critical role in developing new targets in our drug discovery pipeline through characterising novel biology through working directly with patient tissue samples. Your work will be integral to our clinical studies, translating laboratory findings into potential therapeutic applications. You will be responsible for designing and executing experiments that uncover cellular mechanisms of disease, analyse spatial organisation of tissues, and identify novel therapeutic targets. This role combines hands-on laboratory work with cross-functional team collaboration, allowing you to work closely with experts across ML, computational biology and target discovery to drive innovative solutions and further the development of new treatments.

By joining Relation, you will be part of an exceptionally talented team, learn a broad range of skills within and outside your area of expertise, help us to shape our culture and strategic direction and ultimately, make a positive impact in patients lives.

Your responsibilities

Design, implement, and optimize experiments in single-cell technologies and spatial biology platforms (e.g., spatial transcriptomics, multiplex imaging).
Conduct exploratory data analysis to search for disease-relevant cell types and gene programmes using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data.
Develop and implement protocols to enhance experimental efficiency and reproducibility using primary patient tissue.
Perform bench work, including sample preparation, instrument operation, and troubleshooting.
Test and evaluate new technologies and workflows to stay at the cutting edge of the field.
Provide guidance and technical expertise to junior scientists and research associates.
Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments and results.
Help and support the team with biobanking when necessary.
Contribute to the development and writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Ensure the laboratory is clean, organised, and compliant with safety and operational standards by taking part in housekeeping duties and writing risk assessments, while also maintaining laboratory equipment and managing the inventory of reagents and consumables.
Maintain laboratory equipment and inventory of reagents and consumables.

Professionally, you have

A PhD (for senior scientist role) and, at least 3 years additional experience with an outstanding track record in academia, biotech or pharma.
At least three years of research experience in applying spatial biology approaches to tissues, including handling fresh tissue and for FFPE (spatial transcriptomics and protein based methods as well as IHC).
Demonstrable proficiency of bioinformatics and single-cell data analysis through prior work or publications. Ideally via python or R programming languages.
Experience in spatial proteomics or probe-based spatial transcriptomics panel design.
At least two years of research experience in applying single cell or spatial transcriptomics approaches to different cell types and tissues.
Expertise in preparation of NGS library preparation and Illumina sequencing.
A proven ability to deliver to tight timelines.

Desirable knowledge or experience

Experience in the preparation of soft, fibrotic, and hard tissues for single-cell methods (tissue dissociation).
Experience with FACS
Experience in liquid handling or automation
Experience with cell culture
Expertise in Python applied to single-cell or spatial transcriptomics data analysis.
Experience of interdisciplinary team-working, especially with computational and machine learning scientists

Personally, you are

A highly motivated, independent self-starter and problem-solver.
Exceptionally organised with a strong attention to detail, capable of learning quickly and working efficiently under pressure and shifting priorities.
Able to communicate effectively with scientists across various disciplines.
Skilled in building effective working relationships, demonstrating proven teamwork abilities.
Inclusive in your approach with a naturally inquisitive mindset.
Driven by a passion for applying cutting-edge single-cell and spatial technologies to identify disease risk genes and drug targets for conditions with unmet needs.

Join Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a company that is redefining how we understand genetics and disease risk. Your contributions will directly impact the development of transformative medicines for patients. Together, we’re not just conducting research—we’re setting new standards in machine learning and genetics. The patient is waiting.

Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Please note that Relation does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Resumes should not be forwarded to our job aliases or employees. Relation Therapeutics will not be liable for any fees associated with unsolicited CVs.

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