Principal Scientist Sensors

iGii have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Development Scientist to join their rapidly expanding R&D department. You will join our Sensors team, developing High Sensitivity Low-Cost biosensors on our propriety Gii™ technology.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Principal Development Scientist with experience in managing or supervising to apply their expertise at iGii.

The successful candidate will work in a high-growth environment with a fast-paced and collaborative culture where you will work with some fantastic customers conducting research at the forefront of science and technology. 

Your purpose in the Role:

You will be responsible for leading a small team in the development of diagnostic assays on our propriety Gii™ technology. Your main accountabilities will be:

• Leadership, Management and Accountability
• Sensors Expertise
• Experimental planning and execution
• Delivering Sensor development projects
• Cross functional collaboration

What you will do and how you will succeed:

• Lead the development of diagnostic assays on the proprietary Gii‑Sens™ platform, driving scientific strategy and project direction.
• Provide expert technical oversight for sensor development, ensuring robust experimental design and high‑quality technical decision‑
• Manage, mentor and develop a team of scientists, ensuring delivery of key performance parameters and alignment with organisational goals.
• Design and develop electrochemical methods and wet‑to‑dry assay chemistries, ensuring equivalent analytical performance and reliability.
• Oversee the development of Gii‑based sensors for IVD applications, ensuring optimum performance and client satisfaction.
• Own the planning, execution and meticulous documentation of experimental work, maintaining high scientific and GLP standards.
• Prepare, review and author technical protocols, reports and project documentation, ensuring scientific clarity and regulatory readiness.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally, leading team meetings, project reviews, and technical discussions with partners, suppliers and customers.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving activities across multidisciplinary teams to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Stay current with emerging trends in sensor technologies and IVD assay development, applying insights to strengthen product innovation.

Who we are looking for

You will hold a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, nanotechnology or related field) and/or a master’s degree with extensive industry experience at a senior technical level.

You will bring substantial recent industrial experience, gained within early‑stage or mature organisations where products or services are developed, scaled, and brought to market in a commercial setting, demonstrating technical leadership in the following areas:

• Deep expertise in electrochemical biosensors, with a proven track record applying them in biomedical diagnostics
• Extensive experience leading or directing R&D projects, including:
  • biofunctionalisation or assay development
  • application and interpretation of electrochemical techniques and sensor characterisation
  • driving innovation, resolving complex technical challenges, and shaping experimental strategy
• A history of translating scientific research into commercially viable products, achieving project milestones linked to technical, commercial, and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring, guiding, or managing scientists, driving team capability and technical excellence.

Technical and scientific skills required for R&D in a commercial context:

• Advanced ability to design, execute and interpret complex experimental programmes, underpinned by strong scientific rigour and systems‑level thinking
• Strong working knowledge of GLP and high‑standards laboratory practice, with experience operating within regulated or quality‑driven environments
• Proven effectiveness managing multidisciplinary teams, coordinating internal strategy discussions, technical reviews, and external collaborations
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with scientific and technological developments, applying this knowledge to strengthen innovation
• Experience supporting scale‑up activities from laboratory methods to pilot‑scale processes, contributing to commercialisation efforts
• Awareness of intellectual property generation and protection, with experience identifying technically and commercially novel opportunities.

What we offer

This role is offered as a full-time position, working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Please talk to us about alternative working arrangements.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. Visa sponsorship is available, and we can provide a relocation package where needed.

In addition to a competitive salary and 33 days of annual leave (including statutory holidays) we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and professional growth. This includes:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life insurance
• Income protection
• Access to mental wellbeing resources and support, including up to six coaching or counselling sessions per year through our wellbeing partner, Oliva
• Training and development opportunities to help grow your career
• Freedom to arrange your schedule around our core working hours, designed to help you perform at your best.

We take great pride in being a social and collaborative organisation. We meet regularly as a Company and as teams, sharing ideas over breakfast or lunch, celebrating achievements, and recognising milestones at a team and individual level.

We are scaling up rapidly and value our culture, you will shape the company’s future innovation capabilities through your ideas and skillset. Join us now and make your mark on both your career and our growth journey. 

Where we are

We are based in Stirling in central Scotland, a city with rich historical significance. As well as being historic, Stirling is in a great position for quick access to Edinburgh and Glasgow by public transport. It also has easy to access to the Highlands and rural Scotland.

Apply because you want to

• Work with a diverse, international team on a challenge that will positively impact the world
• Join a mission-driven company that’s focused on delivering far better and more sustainable products
• Join a high growth company and put some big wins on your CV wherever you are in your career
• Surround yourself with very smart, open, curious, and action-oriented people with opportunities to learn at every turn.

What happens next?

We have a range of customers from a variety of backgrounds, industries and locations. Therefore, we are searching for a diverse group of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do to collaborate and produce the best possible work for our consumers.

If this sounds like the role and company for you, apply by following the link.

Our interview process is straightforward and designed to help us get to know each other:

• Introduction call: A remote 45 minute conversation with the hiring team to explore your background and the role.
• Additional assessment: Where it adds value, we may use a trusted third-party partner to run a tailored skills or behavioural assessment that offers deeper insight for both sides aligned to the role.
• Optional on site visit: You may be invited to our Stirling office so you can get a feel for the team and working environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments required to the interview process, please let us know upon application any requirements. 

We will close the application link to the role once we have received an ample talent pool full of superstar applicants. Don’t worry though, if you like the look of the role but need a little longer to perfect your application, just get in touch at; people@igii.uk and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

The Company

iGii are a world-class team of technologists, scientists, engineers, product developers. We produce Gii, an advanced 3D carbon nanomaterial transforming electrochemical sensing.

Engineered as a pure, porous, 3D carbon nanostructure, Gii provides exceptional electrochemical performance, enhanced sensitivity, and long-term stability, making it the ideal material for next-generation sensing applications. The novel properties of Gii also allow it to be incorporated into devices across a range of sectors, from automotive to electronics. We’ve previously used Gii as a component in heating elements, thermocouple, electrodes and EMI shields.