Microfluidics Engineer – Lab-on-a-Chip

Microfluidics Engineer – Lab-on-a-Chip

Location: London
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive / DOE

KEMIO is working with an early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel life science technology platform.

The team is small, ambitious and technically driven, bringing together biology, microfluidics, engineering and automation to develop a new platform with significant commercial potential.

As the technology progresses through development and validation, they are looking for a hands-on Microfluidics Engineer to take ownership of microfluidic device development and associated instrumentation.

The Role
This is a highly practical engineering role where you will take lab-on-a-chip devices from initial concept through design, manufacture, testing and iterative optimisation.

You will design and manufacture prototypes using SLA 3D printing, integrate the devices with custom electronics and instrumentation, test performance in the lab and use experimental and computational data to continually refine the system.

You’ll be joining a start-up environment where you’ll have significant technical ownership and be expected to get hands-on with the technology.

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices
• Take devices from concept and CAD design through manufacture, testing and optimisation
• Prototype and manufacture microfluidic devices using SLA 3D printing
• Design and/or integrate custom electronics, sensors and instrumentation for microfluidic systems
• Develop fluid-handling and control systems to support device operation
• Apply fluid mechanics and CFD to understand and optimise device performance
• Use Python for data analysis, including experimental and CFD outputs
• Follow an iterative design → build → test → analyse → redesign development process
• Collaborate closely with scientists and other technical specialists
• Support the development of robust, repeatable devices capable of progressing towards scalable manufacture and commercial use

About You

You will ideally bring:

• MSc, PhD or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline
• Strong hands-on experience developing microfluidic or lab-on-a-chip systems
• Practical experience using SLA 3D printing for device prototyping or manufacture
• Experience taking microfluidic devices through multiple design, manufacture and testing iterations
• Experience designing or integrating custom electronics and instrumentation
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics and CFD, using ANSYS, COMSOL or equivalent
• Experience with CAD for microfluidic device development
• Working knowledge of Python for data analysis
• Strong experimental and troubleshooting skills
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of technical development
• The flexibility and mindset to thrive within a small, fast-moving start-up

Particularly Valuable

Previous commercial product-development experience would be highly advantageous, particularly experience taking microfluidic or lab-on-a-chip technology beyond proof-of-concept towards a reliable, manufacturable product.

Experience gained within biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, analytical instrumentation, life science instrumentation or other microfluidics-focused industries would also be highly relevant.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a core engineering technology within an early-stage biotech.

You’ll be able to design the device, manufacture it, integrate the electronics and instrumentation, test it in the lab and iterate the system until it performs as required — directly influencing the development of the technology as it progresses towards commercialisation.