At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team revolutionising infectious disease diagnostics through innovative sequencing technologies.
- Company: Ellison Institute of Technology, a hub for transformative scientific discovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel allowance, enhanced holiday pay, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic research environment with opportunities for creative problem-solving and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact in health and science while collaborating with visionary experts.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience with molecular biology techniques.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing CO₂, and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.
This ambitious work demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you will 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 from lab to society.
Welcome to the Pathogen Project. Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Mission exemplifies EIT's commitment to transformative science. It aims to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases by leveraging whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. This remit includes the development of a decentralised, sample-to-answer sequencing diagnostic platform for infectious diseases, enabling rapid and accurate analysis of patient samples without prior assumptions. Supported by Oracle Inc.'s cloud-computing scale and security infrastructure, the Pathogen Mission is progressing towards certified diagnostic products for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organisations worldwide.
Your Role: We are seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist with a strong interest in method development to join our growing Applications team, focused on advancing sequencing-based diagnostics. In this role, you will contribute to the design and optimisation of novel targeted and semi-targeted approaches for the rapid sequencing of clinically relevant pathogens. This laboratory-based position encompasses end-to-end experimental workflows, including sample preparation, target enrichment and amplification, library preparation, and sequencing. You will support the development of strategies for comprehensive, high-sensitivity sequencing across a large number of targets, using approaches such as targeted amplification, hybridisation, and related techniques. The role encourages creative problem-solving, with opportunities to propose, explore, and evaluate new ideas. You will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, molecular biologists, engineers, and data scientists to develop assays for integration into an automated, device-based platform. Drawing on your experience, you will help define experimental strategies, design and execute studies, and contribute to advancing the application of sequencing technologies in pathogen detection and related areas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and optimise end-to-end sequencing assays (targeted and semi-targeted)
- Execute experiments, analyse and interpret data, and contribute ideas for improvement
- Troubleshoot complex technical challenges across a range of sample types
- Maintain clear documentation to support reproducibility of experimental work
- Collaborate closely with colleagues across disciplines to progress shared goals
- Contribute to scientific discussions and decision-making as projects evolve
Requirements:
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, biochemistry or a related field
- Experience using molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR, RT-PCR, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation)
- Experience developing and optimising PCRs and/or related experimental workflows
- Ability to troubleshoot experimental challenges and adapt methods as needed
- Experience with DNA/RNA sequencing data
- Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills
- Good organisation, record-keeping and communication skills
Desirable:
- Multiplex PCR assay development, particularly for sequencing applications
- Enrichment or capture methods for pathogens or pathogen-derived nucleic acids
- Work with bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other pathogens
- Handling clinical samples
- RNA-based workflows (e.g. transcriptomics, viral genomics)
- Background in virology
- Exposure to metagenomics workflows
- Biochemistry knowledge relevant to assay development (e.g. enzyme optimisation, reaction conditions, assay development)
Key Attributes:
- Enjoys exploring new ideas and approaches to experimental challenges
- Curious and motivated to solve complex problems
- Able to balance scientific rigour with speed and pragmatism
Working Style and Collaboration:
- Takes ownership of work while valuing collaboration and shared success
- Proactive and supportive team member, with a willingness to contribute beyond immediate responsibilities
- Comfortable working in a dynamic research environment, with support from colleagues
Benefits:
- Salary: Competitive + travel allowance + bonus
- Enhanced holiday pay
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Hospital Cash Plan
- Therapy Services
- Perk Box
- Electric Car Scheme
Working Together - What It Involves:
- You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
- In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- For this role we would expect someone to be fully on site in Oxford.
- You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
(Or Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen employer: Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
At the Ellison Institute of Technology, we foster a vibrant work culture that thrives on innovation and collaboration, making it an exceptional employer for those passionate about scientific discovery. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities for creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary teamwork, all while working in the inspiring city of Oxford. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a mission-driven environment, we empower our team to make meaningful contributions to global health challenges.
Contact Details:
Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land (Or Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Ellison Institute of Technology. Attend relevant events or webinars and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the Pathogen Project. Familiarise yourself with their work on sequencing diagnostics and think about how your skills can contribute. Bring your ideas to the table; they love creative problem-solving!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve used molecular biology techniques. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them—this will demonstrate your troubleshooting skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our innovative community at EIT.
We think you need these skills to ace (Or Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Science:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for scientific discovery shine through. We want to see how your curiosity and drive align with our mission at the Ellison Institute of Technology.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in molecular biology and sequencing techniques. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills in method development and problem-solving.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the role. We appreciate well-organised applications that are easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our Applications team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your molecular biology and genomics knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques like PCR and library preparation, as well as any relevant experience you have with sequencing data. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them practically.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've tackled complex experimental challenges in the past. Highlight your creative problem-solving abilities and how you've adapted methods when things didn't go as planned. This is key for a role that encourages innovative thinking.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this position involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, emphasise your collaboration skills. Share experiences where you've successfully worked with others to achieve shared goals. Good communication is essential, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a list of thoughtful questions ready to ask your interviewers. This could include inquiries about the Pathogen Project's current challenges or future directions. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation, and it gives you a chance to assess if it's the right fit for you.
