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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software for cutting-edge diagnostic technology in a dynamic R&D environment.
- Company: Join the innovative Ellison Institute of Technology, tackling global challenges with world-class experts.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced holiday pay, private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health diagnostics while working with advanced technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Software Engineering or related field; experience in instrumentation software development.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative campus set to revolutionise research and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
About the Institute
Led by a world‑class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity's most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.
Pathogen Mission
The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT's transformative approach, using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Oracle's cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. This initiative aims to improve diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatments by profiling antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for widespread use in labs, hospitals, and public health.
Role Overview
The EIT Pathogen Programme, Applied Sequencing Team is seeking an Instrumentation Software Engineer to help shape the future of diagnostic technology. In this role, you will design and develop control software, firmware, and embedded applications that bring laboratory instrumentation to life, enabling real‑time coordination of pumps, valves, sensors, and actuators within a cutting‑edge point‑of‑care metagenomic sequencing platform. As the first Instrumentation Software Engineer on the team, you will act as a subject‑matter expert, adapting to the evolving needs of a dynamic R&D programme. You will work closely with electrical instrumentation engineers, microfluidic scientists, and data engineers to transform system requirements into intelligent, automated instruments capable of precise fluidic manipulation, heating, cooling, and telemetric data collection. This is a hands‑on R&D role for an engineer who loves bridging hardware and software, writing code that makes physical systems move, think, and measure.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain control software, firmware, and automation systems for in-house laboratory instruments
- Integrate hardware and software, ensuring seamless communication between electrical, mechanical, fluidic, and computational subsystems
- Develop and test embedded control logic for pumps, valves, sensors, and actuators used in microfluidic and diagnostic instrumentation
- Implement and maintain device communication protocols (e.g., serial, I²C, SPI, Modbus, CAN, TCP/IP) for hardware integration
- Develop telemetry and data logging systems to capture and visualise real-time operational data
- Collaborate with the Electrical Instrumentation Engineer to ensure software and hardware systems operate cohesively
- Test, validate, and debug software and firmware on prototype instruments to ensure reliability and accuracy
- Write clear documentation, including inline comments, user manuals, and design notes to support maintainability and reproducibility
- Conduct code reviews, write unit tests, and participate in CI/CD workflows to maintain high-quality, traceable software
- Support integration testing and verification within the full instrument stack, from benchtop setups to deployed prototypes
Requirements
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience- Degree or equivalent experience in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or a related discipline
- Proven experience developing software for instrumentation, automation, or data acquisition systems
- Practical experience testing software‑hardware stacks, including benchtop and deployed systems
- Experience developing in embedded or Linux‑based environments integrating real‑world I/O and instrumentation hardware
- Proficiency in Python, C, or C++ (experience with other embedded or control languages also welcome)
- Familiarity with sensors, actuators, and control interfaces, including analogue and digital I/O
- Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills, particularly for hardware‑software interaction and timing issues
- Commitment to maintainable, reliable, and well‑documented code, with version control (e.g., Git)
- Experience in multidisciplinary R&D environments, particularly laboratory automation or diagnostic instrumentation
- Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)
- Experience with validation and verification processes for production‑level or regulated software
- Ability to analyse system performance, optimise control loops, and identify design bottlenecks
- Familiarity with embedded computing systems, real‑time operating systems (RTOS), or microcontroller platforms
- Understanding of networked instruments, telemetry, or data streaming architectures
- Hands‑on engineer who enjoys connecting hardware and software to solve complex technical challenges
- Collaborative and communicative, able to work effectively across engineering and scientific teams
- Analytical and methodical, approaching problem‑solving with structure and rigour
- Detail‑focused and conscientious, with high standards for code quality and documentation
- Adaptable and proactive, thriving in a dynamic, experimental R&D environment
- Strong time management, balancing concurrent software tasks within multidisciplinary projects
Benefits
- Enhanced holiday pay
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Hospital Cash Plan
- Therapy Services
- Perk Box
- Electrical Car Scheme
Terms of Appointment
- You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary
- You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford
- During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: IT Services and IT Consulting
Instrumentation Software Engineer - Pathogen in Oxford employer: Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
Contact Detail:
Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Instrumentation Software Engineer - Pathogen in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the Ellison Institute of Technology on LinkedIn. A friendly message can go a long way in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can talk confidently about your experience with Python, C, or C++, and how you've tackled hardware-software integration challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! During interviews, share specific examples of projects where you’ve designed control software or worked with embedded systems. Let them see your enthusiasm for bridging hardware and software.
✨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 serious about joining the team at EIT.
We think you need these skills to ace Instrumentation Software Engineer - Pathogen in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Instrumentation Software Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience in software development, especially with embedded systems and instrumentation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at EIT!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Pathogen Mission and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch!
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any cool projects related to automation or instrumentation, make sure to mention them! We’re keen to see examples of your hands-on experience and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at EIT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, C, and embedded systems. Brush up on your knowledge of control software and automation systems, as you'll likely be asked to discuss how you've applied these skills in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges, especially those involving hardware-software integration. Think about times when you debugged a tricky issue or optimised a control loop, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Highlight any projects where you worked with electrical engineers or scientists, and emphasise your communication skills and ability to adapt to different team dynamics.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the current projects within the Pathogen Mission or how the team approaches R&D challenges. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
