Applications Scientist - Pathogen in Oxford

Join us at EIT: 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; Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

The Pathogen Project exemplifies EIT's dedication to ground-breaking science. It seeks to transform pathogen risk management, detection and response by leveraging Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. The goal is to power metagenomic devices using long-read sequencing technologies by building a comprehensive database of pathogen information to inform response.

Your Role: At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Scientist to join the Applications Team within the Pathogen Project. This is a hands-on laboratory-based role within a small, skilled team developing cutting-edge metagenomic and genomic diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. Ideal candidates will have 2+ years previous laboratory experience using sequencing technologies coupled with microbiology or molecular biology skills, gained in an industry or clinical environment.

• Perform laboratory experiments to assist with development and evaluation of sequencing based diagnostic assays for infectious disease applications.
• Maintain excellent records of laboratory work performed.
• Manage house-keeping and maintenance tasks within the research team, supported by the scientific operations team.
• Contribute to the generation of new research ideas for assay development.
• Keep up with the latest literature relevant to the field.
• Analyse and summarise data, and present data and results at internal meetings as required.
• Adhere to health and safety protocols within the laboratory.
• Collaborate with colleagues to help automate diagnostic assays, leading to cost-effective, easy to use tests.
• Collaborate with AMR, Informatic and Machine Learning colleagues to ensure the tests provide accurate pathogen ID, AMR and relatedness results.

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. molecular biology, genomics, microbiology, virology or a related field).
• 2 or more years of practical wet laboratory work experience, ideally gained in an industry or clinical setting.
• Experience working with sequencing technologies (short-read or long-read) as part of your job role.
• Laboratory skills in microbiology, virology and/or infectious diseases.
• Molecular biology and/or molecular microbiology laboratory skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent record-keeping and attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills and experience using spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software.

• A master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. molecular biology, genomics, microbiology, virology or a related field).
• Familiarity with clinical metagenomics applications and workflows.
• Experience working with nanopore sequencing.
• Experience handling clinical samples such as sputum, blood and swabs.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to effectively communicate across scientific domains.
• Basic bioinformatic skills.
• Previous experience of using Confluence, Jira, Lucidchart or other similar reporting and project management tool.

• Enthusiastic and proactive individual with a "can-do" attitude.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-growth, fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent hand-on laboratory skills.
• Collaborative team-player, able to work well with colleagues at different levels.
• Highly organised, with excellent time management and prioritisation abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good problem-solving skills.

• Salary: Competitive + travel allowance + bonus.
• Enhanced holiday + options to buy additional days.
• Pension.
• Life Assurance.
• Income Protection.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Hospital Cash Plan.
• Therapy Services.
• Perk Box.
• Electric Car Scheme.
• Childcare benefit.

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. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).