RA Capital

🧬 Industrial Placement Student – Quantitative Cell Phenotyping by High-Content Imaging

Location: Whittlesford, Cambridge, UK

Start Date: September 2026 | Duration: 9–12 months
Department: Research / Platform Development

About Alchemab

Alchemab Therapeutics is a pioneering biotech company based in Cambridge, UK. Our unique approach identifies novel drug targets and creates therapeutics by analysing antibody repertoires of patients who are resilient to disease. Our work spans neurodegeneration, oncology, and autoimmune disease. We build on a foundation of deep science, cutting-edge technology, and a passionate team committed to transforming lives.

Led by world-renowned scientist Dr. Jane Osbourn, our team is driven by four core values:

🧬 Think Patient First – Everything we do is rooted in positively impacting patients
🤝 Achieve As One – Collaboration and mutual support power our progress
💪 Embrace Responsibility – Every team member is empowered to make a difference
🌱 Create Something Enduring – We're building solutions for today and tomorrow

The Industrial Placement Programme

We’re looking for a highly motivated student to join us for a 9–12 month industrial placement. This is an exciting opportunity to step into the world of drug discovery in a fast-paced biotech environment. The project will help to establish a new imaging-based capability at Alchemab, contributing directly to the discovery and understanding of antibody function.

You’ll work on a dedicated project in a collaborative, cross-functional team, with support from experienced scientists. You will gain hands-on experience in cutting edge experimental and analytical methods in drug discovery. Alongside your project work, you’ll receive mentoring and development support to help build your technical and professional skills.

🔍 Project Title - Quantitative Cell Phenotyping by High-Content Imaging

🧪 Project Overview

At Alchemab, we identify potential therapeutic antibodies from resilient individuals to uncover new biology and deliver new drugs. Understanding how these antibodies function in cells is an important step in determining how they may ameliorate disease.

This project will focus on developing an imaging-based assay to assess the functional activity of antibodies in neuronal cells, using our CX7 High-Content Imaging System. The aim is to establish imaging-based approaches that complement existing discovery methods by measuring cellular responses to antibody treatment.

You will select and optimise neuronal cell models and develop imaging assays to measure changes in cell morphology, neurite structure, and overall cell health. You will gain experience in high-content microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques. There may also be opportunities to explore more advanced imaging approaches, such as multiplexed phenotypic profiling, and to analyse imaging data using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) methods to identify patterns within complex datasets.

Overall, this project will provide hands-on experience in cell culture, assay development, high-content imaging, and data analysis, while contributing to new approaches for studying antibody function within the Alchemab pipeline.

🎯 Project Goals

• Identify and test control compounds in neuronal cell models and assess changes in cell morphology following treatment
  • Develop a high-content imaging assay in neuronal cell models
  • Measure phenotypic changes in response to antibody treatment using high-content imaging
  • Build workflows to analyse and interpret imaging data
  • Explore multiplexed imaging approaches (e.g. Cell Painting)
  • Investigate advanced image analysis approaches, including AI -powered morphological profiling

🧪 Techniques & Technologies You’ll Use

• Mammalian cell culture and neuronal cell models
  • Plate-based assay development
  • Immunocytochemistry / fluorescence-based imaging approaches
  • High-content microscopy (CX7 system)
  • Quantitative image analysis
  • Data analysis and visualisation
  • Exposure to AI / machine learning approaches for image analysis

📘 What You’ll Learn

By the end of your placement, you will:

• Understand how phenotypic cell assays support early-stage drug discovery
  • Gain hands-on experience in high-content imaging and assay development
  • Learn how to design and optimise experiments to measure cellular responses
  • Develop skills in quantitative image analysis and data interpretation
  • Gain exposure to high-throughput data and AI/ML approaches applied to biological data
  • Understand how functional assays complement target identification strategies

🌟 Why This Placement is Right for You

This project offers a unique opportunity to help establish a new experimental capability within Alchemab. Unlike project-driven roles, this placement allows you to explore and develop a platform that can support multiple discovery programmes across the company.

You’ll take ownership of developing and optimising a phenotypic imaging assay, contributing directly to how functional activity of antibodies is assessed. This work will complement existing approaches by providing a mechanism-agnostic platform to identify and understand antibody function.

The project also provides a strong combination of wet lab and computational skill development, spanning cell biology, microscopy, and quantitative data analysis. You’ll be supported by experienced scientists and have opportunities to collaborate with teams such as Bioinformatics and Tech, gaining exposure to cross-functional working and advanced analytical approaches.

🧠 Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BSc in a biological or life sciences-related discipline
  • At least 1 year of undergraduate study completed at time of application
  • Strong interest in cell biology, imaging, or biotechnology
  • Proven interest in computational analysis and coding
  • Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
  • Good communication and teamwork skills
  • Eligibility to work in the UK for the duration of the placement

🌿 Where You’ll Be Working

You’ll be based in Whittlesford, just south of Cambridge, in a state-of-the-art biotech facility with excellent transport links to Cambridge and London.

🎉 Connecting, Celebrating, and Giving Back

At Alchemab, we believe great science thrives in a strong, connected community. From social events to charity initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities to connect, have fun, and make a difference beyond the lab.

Please note
The successful candidate will be employed by SRG and based on-site at Alchemab Therapeutics. Candidate details will only be shared with SRG at offer stage, in line with data protection standards.

📅 Recruitment Process

• Application deadline: 8th May 2026
  • Application: Please apply via the link and include a cover letter outlining your interest in Alchemab and this placement opportunity
  • Screening: Applications will be reviewed by supervisors following the deadline
  • Interviews: Expected to take place between 18th–29th May (flexible window), ideally face-to-face where possible
  • Offers: Decisions and offers are expected to be finalised in early June