Laboratory Technician

Company Description

Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a novel class of medicines, referred to as Bicycle® molecules, for diseases that are underserved by existing therapeutics. Bicycle molecules are fully synthetic short peptides constrained with small molecule scaffolds to form two loops that stabilize their structural geometry. This constraint facilitates target binding with high affinity and selectivity, making Bicycle molecules attractive candidates for drug development. The company is evaluating zelenectide pevedotin (formerly BT8009), a Bicycle® Drug Conjugate (BDC®) targeting Nectin-4, a well-validated tumor antigen; BT5528, a BDC molecule targeting EphA2, a historically undruggable target; and BT7480, a Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist® (Bicycle TICA®) targeting Nectin-4 and agonizing CD137, in company-sponsored clinical trials. Additionally, the company is developing Bicycle® Radioconjugates (BRC®) for radiopharmaceutical use and, through various partnerships, is exploring the use of Bicycle® technology to develop therapies for diseases beyond oncology.

Bicycle Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. For more information, visit bicycletherapeutics.com.

Culture is key and all Bicycle employees actively embrace and role model our company values: 

• We are Adventurous. We believe it’s the way to deliver extraordinary results for our patients.   
• We are Dedicated to our Mission. You can’t change the world if you don’t have determination. 
• We are One Team. We only succeed when we work together.  

Job Description

The Laboratory Technician plays a key role in the expansion of Bicycle Therapeutics and within the Lab Support Team. We are looking for a great team player who has excellent organisational skills and someone who can prioritise, communicate, and flex to the task in hand. This role will involve both practical scientific work and administrative work to support the company and the activities of our Research and Innovation  teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Sample & Lab Management:
  • Prepare and manage protein batches in both solid and solution forms, using automated and manual methods.
  • Manage sample inventory, including deposition, retrieval, and maintaining accurate records using our LIMS and other systems.
  • Liaise directly with scientists to discuss support requirements, creating and maintaining electronic schedules using MS Excel and LIMS.
  • Collaborate with the Logistics team to prepare samples for delivery to our CRO network, maintaining a precise inventory of all shipments.
• Operational & Technical Support:
  • Provide hands-on lab support for the Research and Innovation team, independently managing essential functions via our ticketing system.
  • Prepare basic solutions, buffers, media, and plates to support ongoing scientific experiments.
  • Check and replenish reagents and solvents for the chemistry labs and manage the inventory of compressed gases, including liquid nitrogen.
  • Maintain Quality Control systems, including routine Mycoplasma testing for our tissue culture rooms.
• Health, Safety & Compliance:
  • Ensure the laboratories meet all Health & Safety requirements by maintaining workspace cleanliness and managing the transfer of chemical and clinical waste.
  • Write and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Risk Assessments.
  • Maintain high-quality lab records, ensuring all data is captured and archived according to data integrity standards.
  • Update and maintain Bicycle’s Chemical Inventory with relevant data (MSDS) and storage locations.
• Team & Personal Development:
  • Actively contribute to team meetings, offering new ideas and constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.
  • Take a proactive approach to your professional development, ensuring full compliance with all required training.
  • Provide cover for the wider team during absences, which may include tasks such as glass washing, using autoclaves, and waste management.

Qualifications

WHO ARE YOU: QUALIFICATIONS

• A background in a relevant scientific discipline, gained through formal qualification or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proven laboratory experience, with practical skills including pipetting and sterile techniques.
• A strong understanding of chemical awareness and associated hazards.
• Proficiency with the MS Office suite is essential.
• Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), automated compound management, or other lab-based systems would be an advantage.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and work with close attention to detail.

WHO ARE YOU: SKILLS & COMPETENCIES 

• Knowledge & Expertise:
  • Core Expertise: You apply your scientific knowledge to essential lab support tasks, such as sample preparation and inventory management, with growing independence.
  • Data / Insight: You accurately analyse and record straightforward information, such as sample data in LIMS, and begin to interpret outcomes like QC results.
  • Knowledge Sharing: You share observations and practical learnings with peers and scientists to ensure support requests are clear and tasks are completed efficiently.
• Job Complexity:
  • Task / Project Delivery: You handle moderately complex and varied tasks, from managing sample inventories to preparing shipments, with guidance from the team.
  • Problem-Solving: You apply known methods to resolve routine issues, like troubleshooting a supply shortage or flagging an inconsistency in a lab record.
  • Strategic Impact: You contribute reliable results, such as well-maintained stock levels and accurately prepared reagents, that directly support the progress of our research projects.
• Independence:
  • Autonomy: You complete daily and weekly tasks, like safety checks and reagent replenishment, with limited supervision after initial training.
  • Decision-Making: You make small adjustments within established methods, such as prioritising incoming support tickets to ensure the most critical needs are met first.
  • Leadership / Mentorship: You support colleagues by sharing knowledge and tips on lab procedures, such as how to use specific equipment or where to find supplies.

• Values & Behaviours:
  • One Team: You contribute actively to our team goals by ensuring the lab environment is safe, organised, and ready for scientific work, and you support junior team members as they learn.
  • Adventurous: You suggest small but valuable improvements to lab processes, adapt quickly when scientific priorities shift, and are willing to try new techniques within set boundaries.
  • Dedicated to our Mission: You take responsibility for the accuracy and quality of your work, from sample preparation to record-keeping, and connect your daily tasks to the broader purpose of advancing our science.

Additional Information

• State-of-the-art campus environment
• Competitive reward package
• 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, plus option to buy up to 5 additional days
• Employer contribution to pension
• Life assurance cover 4x basic salary
• Private Medical Insurance, including optical and dental cover
• Health Cash Plan
• Cycle to work scheme

Bicycle Therapeutics is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, or veteran status.