Head of Experimental Data Generation AI & Robotics Oxford, England, United Kingdom

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing CO₂, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real‑world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas for lab to society.

A critical purpose of our Autonomous Labs (AutoLabs) programme is to generate reliable, high‑fidelity experimental data - both for EIT's own foundation models and for our partner Institutes. This role owns that mission. The successful candidate will lead a small, lean team of laboratory scientists and automation specialists while remaining deeply hands‑on at the bench and on the automation platforms themselves. This is a build‑it‑yourself role: the team is small and will remain so in the near term, so the postholder is expected to design, run and troubleshoot experiments directly, not solely to direct others. Success is measured by the volume, reliability and fitness‑for‑purpose of the data generated against AutoLabs' strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the experimental design (experimental strategy and approach) and wet‑lab delivery of generating datasets for foundation models being built within AI & Robotics.
• Drive independent research as required to resolve open questions about experimental design and data generation choices.
• Lead, line‑manage and develop a small team of laboratory scientists and automation specialists, while personally performing hands‑on wet‑lab and automation work.
• Design, execute, document and analyse experiments on automated platforms to produce high‑fidelity, reproducible data at the throughput required for model training.
• Define and run data generation campaigns end‑to‑end – scoping, scheduling, QC, fidelity standards and acceptance criteria.
• Develop, optimise and validate scientific workflows on automation, starting with cell culture, protein engineering and protein purification.
• Work with SciOps to oversee maintenance and troubleshoot the automation platforms (liquid handlers, thermocyclers, plate handling, and associated equipment) to keep campaigns running reliably and hands‑free where possible.
• Work closely with modelling teams and partner Institutes to understand downstream data requirements and ensure generated data meets the needs of foundation model training.
• Use scientific computing and programming as necessary to support, complement and orchestrate automated workflows and data handling.
• Keep up to date with developments in the field, proposing or implementing changes of direction, new techniques and new equipment as necessary.
• Prepare and disseminate results through internal discussions, seminars and, where appropriate, publication.

This list is not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to undertake additional tasks and duties commensurate with the role, or support the Director of Product, Scientific Discovery.

Essential (must have)

• Scientific curiosity that is open for any area of science (beyond just biology).
• An experimentally driven PhD in an experimental field – i.e. wet‑lab, not a computational/theoretical PhD.
• Strong familiarity and hands‑on experience with molecular biology workflows, particularly cell culturing, protein engineering and protein purification.
• Ability to read and interpret scientific literature, learn, attempt and troubleshoot novel protocols.
• Hands‑on experience with automated laboratory equipment, particularly across a range of liquid handlers (OpenTrons experience a strong plus), thermocyclers, plate handling and related platforms.
• A can‑do, build‑it‑yourself attitude and genuine willingness to go into the lab and run experiments personally.
• The team will be lean for the foreseeable future, so this is an all‑hands‑on‑deck role.

Strongly Desirable

• Demonstrated experience running an experimental data generation campaign at scale.

Desirable (nice to have)

• Familiarity with modelling and data setup for data campaigns, sufficient to understand and anticipate the data requirements of downstream model training.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and scientific thinker with a hands‑on approach to operational challenges.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a dynamic, start‑up environment.
• A collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills to work effectively with research, modelling and technician teams and with partner Institutes.
• Organised, resourceful, and capable of prioritising effectively across competing demands.
• Mission‑focused and able to interpret scientific needs into reliable execution.

You must be able to commute to Oxford 5 days a week for this role.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!