Senior Scientist – Translational Biology (Patient-Derived Models) (m/f/d)

Client Scientific

Location Kraków, Poland

Region Krakow, Poland

Offer description

Selvita is a global integrated service provider with laboratories in Poland (Krakow, Poznan, and Wroclaw), Croatia (Zagreb), and offices in Cambridge, UK, as well as the Greater Boston Area and San Francisco Bay Area in the US. Our company is dedicated to delivering comprehensive solutions that support our international clients in drug discovery and drug development.

As one of the largest preclinical contract research organizations in Europe, Selvita is driven by a clear mission: to bridge the gap between early drug discovery and the clinical stage of drug development.

At Selvita, we value partnership, excellence, passion, commitment, and integrity. We build strong, collaborative relationships with our clients and commit to the highest standards of quality. We fuel our pursuit of innovative solutions with enthusiasm, advance drug development with focused dedication, and ensure honesty and transparency in all our work.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist with deep expertise in patient-derived tumor models to take scientific ownership of our translational platform with a priority focus on colorectal (CRC) and pancreatic (PDAC) cancer. The role combines strategic scientific leadership, hands-on experimental work, and cross-functional coordination across pathology logistics, primary/3D cultures, high-content phenotyping, AI/ML-assisted analytics, and in vivo interface—delivering data packages against grant milestones.

Join us at Selvita, where these values guide our mission to advance drug discovery to the clinical stage of drug development.

Key Responsibilities

Own the platform execution: Plan, prioritize, and deliver translational workstreams in line with program/grant objectives, timelines, and risk/quality controls.
Collaborate with junior scientists during the execution of the grant.
Primary tissue & model establishment: Coordinate workflows related to the research use of patient-derived tissues; evaluate and process tissue samples, and establish primary cell culture models in both 2D and 3D (spheroid) systems, including optimization of culture conditions for cell growth and differentiation.
Assay design & validation: Develop and validate potency/phenotypic assays (IC50/EC50, viability/apoptosis, clonogenicity, imaging/HCS), define acceptance criteria (e.g., Z′, S/B, CV), and drive continuous improvement and troubleshooting.
QC & authentication: Implement rigorous mycoplasma/sterility testing, STR identity, passage limits, banking strategies, growth tracking, and robust documentation (ELN/LIMS) in line with grant and CRO standards.
Data integrity & decision-making: Lead data review and interpretation; integrate AI/ML-derived insights with wet-lab findings; prepare decision memos and stage-gate recommendations.
Cross-functional coordination: Partner with pathology, HTS/HCS, in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, computational biology/AI, and project management to ensure seamless hand-offs and on-time delivery.
Reporting & communication: Produce high-quality reports and presentations; ensure compliance with grant requirements; contribute to publication planning and future funding extensions.
Mentor junior scientists; instill best practices in experimental design, statistics, and documentation.

Your Background

PhD in molecular/cell biology, oncology, biotechnology or related field and 2+ years postdoc/industry experience preferred; or MSc with strong, relevant track record.
Proven hands-on expertise in primary human tumor models (preferably CRC/PDAC): intake logistics, tissue dissociation, 2D/3D culture establishment, media/ECM selection (e.g., BME/Matrigel; Wnt/R-spondin/Noggin-based systems), scaling and stabilization.
Demonstrated assay development/validation proficiency: IC50/EC50 analysis, design of controls, plate/randomization strategies, and acceptance metrics (Z′, S/B, CV).
Strong QC/authentication practice: mycoplasma/sterility, STR, passage policy/banking; disciplined ELN/LIMS use.
Fluent in data analysis and statistics (e.g., 4PL/5PL fitting in GraphPad Prism; outlier/replicate handling); capable of converting data into clear narratives.
Experience coordinating cross-disciplinary projects and mentoring scientists; excellent planning, communication, and management skills.
Nice to have: HCS/advanced imaging analytics; immune/tumor co-cultures; flow cytometry panels; collaboration with AI/ML teams.

Your Benefits Package

A key scientific role in a funded, high-impact translational oncology program.
Opportunity to shape a next-generation patient-derived platform integrating primary models, advanced phenotyping and AI/ML.
Work in a modern research environment with state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team.
Professional growth within one of Europe’s fastest-growing biotechnology R&D organizations.
Additional benefits: a prepaid lunch card, private medical care, subsidized sports card, and office fruit provision.
Internal Development initiatives including soft & leadership skills training programs.
Recognition Program.
Employee Referral Program.
Support & incentive bonus for completing Ph.D.
Various sports and engagement initiatives.