Chief Scientific / Medical Officer

About the role

Merantix is developing a point-of-care diagnostic platform that integrates silicon photonics, micro-fluidics, and AI to replace expensive, lab-based flow cytometry. We are seeking a clinical leader to define our scientific narrative and guide our transition from prototype to clinical utility. You will lead our biomarker strategy and regulatory roadmap while building key partnerships across the medical community. The successful candidate will own the clinical validation strategy that underpins our product claims and ensures scientific rigor. You will translate complex immunological mechanisms into clear diagnostic pathways that resonate with both clinicians and regulators. This role requires you to act as the primary scientific voice of the company when interfacing with investors, partners, and the medical community. You will be responsible for ensuring that our scientific ambitions are matched with feasible and compliant development pathways. Your leadership will directly shape how we position our technology within the broader diagnostic ecosystem. This role is responsible for establishing the scientific credibility necessary to support commercial launch and widespread adoption.

Team

You will report directly to Prathap, the founder, integrating closely with executive leadership to align scientific vision with company objectives. As a member of the founding leadership team, you will work in close partnership with product, engineering, and regulatory colleagues. This role requires physical presence in London for team collaboration.

What you'll do

• Develop the clinical and scientific strategy, determining which biomarkers and diagnostic applications to prioritize for our initial product launches.
• Establish and manage relationships with design partners and key opinion leaders in oncology, haematology, infectious disease, and transplant medicine.
• Design clinical evidence programs and work with regulatory experts to navigate CLIA-Waiver, IVDR, and pivotal study requirements.
• Build and chair a Clinical Advisory Board to provide guidance on therapy-specific applications.
• Author scientific publications and grant applications to establish our biological credibility.
• Define the long-term scientific roadmap for the company over a five-year horizon.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of clinical data to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for product enhancement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that scientific objectives align with business and operational goals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies to maintain our competitive scientific edge.
• Translate high-level scientific concepts into actionable plans for commercial and clinical execution.
• Oversee the development of robust standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and quality.
• Act as a mentor to internal scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and curiosity.
• Liaise with external collaborators to accelerate the integration of novel biomarkers into our platform.
• Provide regular scientific updates to the executive team and board of directors.
• Lead the preparation of technical documentation for regulatory submissions and investor materials.

Requirements

• MD, PhD, or DPhil in haematology, immunology, clinical pathology, or cancer immunology.
• 5 to 10 years of industrial experience as a CSO or CMO at a diagnostics, cytometry, or cell therapy company, or a comparable translational research background with at least one prior spinout.
• Proven experience designing multiparameter immunophenotyping panels that have been successfully translated into clinical practice.
• Deep expertise in interpreting clinical data for oncology, MRD, and HIV diagnostics.
• Demonstrated success in navigating complex regulatory environments for diagnostic products.
• Strong background in biomarker discovery, validation, and clinical implementation.
• Excellent understanding of clinical study design and statistical analysis for diagnostic accuracy studies.
• Ability to define and manage scientific priorities under resource constraints typical of a pre-seed environment.
• Track record of building and maintaining collaborative networks with academic and clinical partners.

Nice to have

• Active clinical practice, such as a one-day-per-week NHS or honorary contract.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in clinical trial design and regulatory pathways for diagnostic devices.
• Ability to bridge the gap between rapid, iterative scientific development and conservative, evidence-based regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication skills for investor pitches, grant writing, and clinician engagement.
• Proficiency in scientific tools and data analysis relevant to immunophenotyping and diagnostic assay development.

Practical notes

This role requires physical presence in London for team collaboration. We offer founding team-level equity. Salary is calibrated to our pre-seed funding round and market standards for this level of seniority. We prioritize direct communication, decisive action, and long-term commitment to our decade-long mission.