Scientist

About Signatur Biosciences

Today, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions — making them less accessible unless we do something about it.

Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup, we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world.

Signatur Biosciences is a startup with a remote workforce, predominantly in London, UK, and a laboratory facility in Liège, Belgium.

We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company, where employees think like owners, act with authority, and collaborate closely with one another.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Scientist to join our laboratory team in Liège (full time, on site). In this role you will own the scientific development of our next-generation qPCR-based IVD kits — from assay design and feasibility through verification and validation — inside an ISO 13485 quality management system, against IVDR. You will join Signatur Biosciences at an exciting time as we scale our Belgian facility and move our first products towards the market. If you are a self-starter who combines scientific rigour with real project ownership, we'd love to speak with you!

About the Role

As a Scientist, you will be responsible for translating project objectives into detailed and accurate protocols and work instructions, performing molecular biology techniques, analysing experimental data, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and accuracy — with a strong degree of autonomy. The role requires proven project management experience and a solid track record in the development of PCR-based products, combined with the ability to translate scientific rigour into practical, compliant laboratory outcomes aligned with regulatory requirements.

Main Responsibilities

Kit Development & Project Management

• Contribute to the development of PCR-based diagnostic kits under IVDR, from design and feasibility through verification and validation
• Plan, coordinate and manage development projects, ensuring timelines, resources and deliverables are met
• Design, execute and interpret qPCR experiments and nucleic acid extraction protocols; troubleshoot experimental issues and lead investigations of unexpected results
• Perform qPCR experiments manually or using high-throughput liquid handlers (e.g. the i.DOT platform)
• Apply a "right-first-time" mindset to experimental design and execution
• Work across the R&D team to anticipate reagent and consumable needs, and proactively remove barriers to project execution

Documentation & Quality

• Write and review study plans, protocols, work instructions and laboratory records in accordance with ISO 13485
• Write and review development plans and reports in accordance with IVDR requirements
• Ensure adherence to laboratory procedures and support ISO 13485 compliance across all development activities
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory processes in accordance with In Vitro Diagnostic development requirements
• Take ownership of data analysis and report writing

Cross-functional Collaboration & Team Support

• Liaise with the Product Lead to align kit development activities with the product roadmap and requirements
• Collaborate with the RAQA Lead and the Head of Laboratory Operations to support compliant, well-documented development outcomes
• Contribute to building scientific capability and knowledge-sharing across the laboratory team
• Train the laboratory team on study protocols and work instructions, and act as subject matter expert for specific laboratory processes and equipment

Essential Skills & Experience

• Master's, PhD or equivalent degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering or a related scientific field
• Significant experience (3–5 years) in molecular biology / qPCR laboratory environments, including hands-on PCR-based assay or kit development (not including coursework)
• Hands-on experience developing products inside a regulated environment for in vitro diagnostics, medical devices or clinical diagnostics — including design control, risk management, and verification and validation
• Proven project management experience, with the ability to plan, coordinate and drive development projects to completion in a regulated environment
• Strong autonomy and sound scientific judgement
• Strong writing and reviewing skills for plans, protocols and reports
• Excellent scientific communication skills
• Fluent in English & French

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working within a Quality Management System for In Vitro Diagnostic or medical device development (ISO 13485), and familiarity with IVDR requirements
• Experience developing IVDR-compliant PCR-based diagnostic kits, from design through verification and validation
• Experience in a start-up or fast-paced biotech environment
• Experience in nucleic acid extraction
• Experience mentoring or training laboratory technicians
• Experience in using automated PCR set-up and liquid handling platforms
• Data analysis literacy, ideally with a scientific programming language (Python, R, MATLAB or Julia)
• Knowledge of biobanking requirements and international protocol standards (e.g. CLSI)
• Confident use of AI tools to accelerate documentation, data analysis and literature review

Key Competencies

• Planning and Problem Solving
• Sense of Urgency and Focus
• Teamwork & Communication
• Attention to Detail & Continuous Learning
• AI Curiosity & Tool Fluency

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary (compensation will be based on experience level with requested qualifications)
• Paid time off policy that includes 4 weeks plus 12 compensatory days
• Private medical insurance

As we continue to grow, our benefits package will evolve. The benefits outlined above are accurate as of the job posting date.

Signatur Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.