Chemistry Manager

Sphere Fluidics, a leader in single cell analysis and isolation technologies, seeks a proactive and collaborative individual to join our Chemistry team. 

 

About Sphere Fluidics: 

Our innovative platforms are built on scientific and engineering expertise spanning over a decade. Originally spun out from the University of Cambridge, we specialize in helping researchers find their most critical cells. Leveraging our picodroplet microfluidic technology, we offer high-throughput solutions for single cell isolation and analysis across various applications, including biologics discovery, cell engineering, and synthetic biology. Work small, think big, with us. 

 

The Role:  

The purpose of the Chemistry Manager is to lead a team of chemists and to collaborate with the biology team within Sphere Fluidics, to develop novel reagents and applications related to our microfluidic droplet-based single cell analysis platforms.  You will help drive business growth by extending the application, improving the performance, and reducing the cost of our reagent systems.  In the context of increasingly stringent environmental regulation, you will lead the team to develop new high-value reagents, structures and associated synthesis techniques that can be easily transferred to volume manufacture. 

The Chemistry Manager is part of the leadership team of our science capability, reporting to the Director of Science.  As part of this team, you will lead the team for all chemistry development activities and work with our Operations team to transfer materials to manufacture.  You will oversee our development chemistry lab and ensure all work is done to the highest possible scientific and safety standards. 

 

Responsibilities:  

• Develop novel high-performance reagent systems for droplet-based microfluidic single-cell analysis – including oil and aqueous phases, emulsifiers, stabilisers, surfactants, shell structures, de-emulsifiers, hydrogels and surface coatings for microfluidic chips. 

• Develop scalable, cost-effective, synthesis routes and processes to manufacture reagents and support their transfer to manufacture, either in-house or with third parties. 

• Establish robust reagent material specifications and develop the necessary assessment techniques to support quality during manufacture. 

• Support operational efforts to reduce manufacturing cost including assessment of alternative materials and development of more efficient manufacturing processes. 

• Work collaboratively with the biology team to design novel and alternative solutions for application and assay development (such as protein labelling, enzymatic and covalent conjugation). 

• Work closely with biologists and other scientists to integrate chemical solutions into biological assays. 

• Utilize advanced chemical techniques and methodologies to support the development of reagents and components for assay kits. 

• Line management of the chemistry team, driving recruitment and capability growth to align with business needs. 

• Plan and execute design and development projects to create new reagents and reagent systems 

• Assist in developing requirements and specifications for new platforms. 

• Act as internal consultant, champion, and expert in chemistry for the company, particularly for cross-discipline R+D projects. 

• Perform due diligence and assessment on competitive science and IP in the field of droplet chemistry and ensure the company’s technical know-how is up to date by regular review of the scientific literature and conference attendance. 

• Develop and refine internal processes to drive efficient project execution and maximize effectiveness of our chemistry team within our ISO9001 Quality Management System. 

• Oversee our in-house chemistry development lab and ensure equipment and processes are fit-for-purpose. 

• Oversee safety, health and environmental activities for all chemistry work and ensure compliance with appropriate regulations and safety procedures. 

• Monitor proposed future regulations for environment, health and safety that may affect our business in all markets and ensure the Senior Leadership Team is aware of potential impacts. 

  

Qualifications and Experience:  

Essential 

• PhD degree in chemistry or in a technical area directly relevant to droplet microfluidics. 

• Up-to-date technical expertise in droplet chemistry, familiar with the challenges presented in developing robust, highly stable, biocompatible emulsions. 

• Expertise in chemical synthesis, purification, and characterization techniques. 

• Strong knowledge of assay development, including fluorescence-based assays. 

• Proficiency in analytical techniques such as HPLC, MS, NMR, and spectroscopy.  

• Experience of developing reagents in a commercial context for the life-sciences industry and transferring them to manufacture, particularly the challenges of defining quality and meeting cost targets 

• Good knowledge of measurement and characterization techniques as applied to droplet system reagents and structures. 

• Able to think creatively and propose novel ideas for new reagents and chemical structures, and the associated synthesis techniques. 

• Experience of leading reagent design and development projects. 

• Familiar with product development processes, particularly requirements capture, project planning and delivery and verification / validation methods. 

• Good data analysis and problem-solving skills, able to identify root causes and implement robust action plans. 

• Experience in growing and developing high-performance technical teams. 

• Strong organizational skills, able to set standards and encourage others to succeed. 

• Familiar with environment, health and safety legislation and processes particularly UK COSHH. 

• Team-orientation toward collaboration and mutual success 

Desirable 

• Familiar with application and assay kit design for Biological assays 

• Understanding of the biopharmaceutical discovery and development process. 

• Knowledge of cell biology and cell-based assay techniques 

• Familiar with drafting patents around new chemical structures and synthesis techniques. 

• Understanding of the biopharmaceutical discovery and development process. 

  

Personal Attributes 

• Able to engage with others and drive conversations. 

• Able to inspire other scientists and help them develop their skills and knowledge. 

• Well organized, able to develop good processes, able to hold people to account. 

• Able to make effective decisions, delegate and prioritise activities both short and long term. 

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to easily relate complex technical information. 

• Able to multi-task and cope with uncertainty. 
• Able to drive change and bring in new ideas and ways of doing things. 

 

The Benefits  

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays  

• Employee Share Options (EMI Scheme)  

• Company pension scheme with Aviva (employer contributes 8%)   

• 4x Life Insurance & Critical Illness Cover  

• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality   

• Health Cash Plan  

• Group Income Protection   

• Employee Assistance Program  

• Cycle to Work scheme   

• Learning & Development opportunities for career growth  

• Long Service Bonus – up to 5 extra days holiday  

• Recruitment referral scheme (£1,000)  

• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance  

  

What’s Next? We will review your application and whilst we would love to get back to every applicant, it is not always possible. If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please note that your application has not been successful on this occasion.    

  

Sphere Fluidics strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act.