Founding Scientist (Part-Time)

About us

We're an early-stage, women's health startup on a mission to end one of the most stressful parts of fertility and IVF care: the constant blood draws. We're developing a minimally invasive way to monitor reproductive hormones continuously — using aptamer-functionalised electrochemical sensors that read hormone levels directly in interstitial fluid, without a needle in a vein. We're backed by non-dilutive government innovation funding, founded by a scientist with a background in electrochemical biosensing, and about to make our first scientific hire — this role.

The role

You'll join right at the ground floor as our founding scientist, working hands-on with the founder to build and test the first generation of our sensing chemistry. You'll:

• Fabricate and characterise aptamer-functionalised screen-printed electrode (SPE) sensors
• Optimise sensor performance for key reproductive hormones (oestradiol and progesterone)
• Run electrochemical measurements (e.g. square-wave voltammetry) and analyse the data
• Test sensors in real human interstitial fluid and benchmark against reference values
• Determine limit of detection, dynamic range, selectivity and reproducibility
• Keep rigorous lab and time records and contribute to project reports and future publications

What we're looking for

Essential:

• A PhD or Master's in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Biosensing or a closely related field — we're also happy to hear from current students writing up their thesis
• Hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques (voltammetry / amperometry)
• Careful wet-lab and data-recording skills
• The self-direction and pragmatism to thrive in a tiny, early-stage team

Desirable:

• Experience with aptamer / DNA-based sensors or SPE fabrication
• Work with biological matrices (interstitial fluid, serum) or hormone assays
• A genuine interest in women's health

Why join

This is a rare chance to be the first scientist in a mission-driven women's health company — real ownership of the science, share options alongside salary, and a clear path to a full-time founding scientist role as the company grows beyond this initial project.

Details

2.5 days/week (2 days in our Euston lab, 0.5 day from home), 0.5 FTE salary plus share options. 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extending into a permanent full-time founding scientist position.

Start date: ASAP. You must already have the right to work in the UK — unfortunately we're not able to sponsor visas at this stage.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short note on why this excites you to sayleejangam@gmail.com by Friday 25th September.