Senior Scientist & Laboratory Lead (CRO Operations) | Full time | India

As Senior Scientist & Laboratory Lead, you will act as a true player-coach, leading a lean technical team (5 Research Associates + you) while remaining actively involved at the bench. You will translate ambitious goals from US-based biotech founders into clear, reproducible experimental plans and ensure that all deliverables are defensible, presentation-ready, and suitable for investor review.

You will work closely with the Founder/CEO and help define the operational DNA of a next-generation CRO.

Location: Bengaluru, India

Work Mode: Full-Time | Hybrid

Scientific Leadership & Client Success (40%)

• Translate high-level client briefs into detailed experimental workflows, including controls, replicates, timelines, and acceptance criteria
• Serve as the final quality gate for all data, reviewing and interpreting results such as RT-qPCR and Western blot outputs
• Prepare concise, decision-oriented summaries and slide decks for founder and investor review
• Lead weekly technical discussions with international scientific founders

Team Management & Mentorship (30%)

• Manage and mentor two Research Associates across molecular and cell culture workflows
• Train team members in advanced techniques and enforce best-in-class laboratory standards
• Drive a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous improvement

Strategic Wet-Lab Execution & Troubleshooting (20%)

• Personally execute or directly oversee high-stakes experimental steps during assay development and pilot runs
• Rapidly diagnose and resolve underperforming assays across experimental design, reagents, and execution

Operations & Compliance (10%)

• Own day-to-day laboratory readiness and critical equipment lifecycle management
• Manage key vendors and coordinate with external in vivo partners

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field
• 5+ years of post-PhD experience in biotech, CRO, or research environments
• Deep hands-on expertise in RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and BSL-2 mammalian cell culture
• Experience with mRNA, LNP or aptamer delivery, or gene editing strongly preferred
• Exceptional written and spoken English with strong client-facing communication skills

• Applies a due-diligence mindset to every dataset
• Thrives in small, fast-moving teams with high standards
• Holds a global quality bar and values publication-level rigor

• Direct exposure to innovative, VC-backed biotech programs
• High scientific autonomy and ownership
• Opportunity to shape the foundation and culture of a growing CRO

skills