At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative microfluidic systems for next-gen diagnostic technology.
- Company: Join the Ellison Institute of Technology, a leader in transformative science.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel allowance, private medical insurance, and enhanced holiday pay.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for hands-on experimental work.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on infectious disease detection and treatment.
- Qualifications: BSc in Engineering or related field with 4+ years in microfluidics.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
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, 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.
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 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: At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detail orientated Microfluidics Engineer / Scientist to help develop next‑generation diagnostic technology. In this role, you'll work alongside experts in microfluidics, microbiology, electronics and firmware to design, build and iterate prototype instrumentation for a point‑of‑care device capable of metagenomic sequencing through a microfluidic cartridge interface. You will take a hands‑on role in translating microfluidic workflows into robust, system‑ready implementations, working at the interface between cartridge design and automated instrumentation. This will involve designing and running experiments, supporting integration of microfluidic systems with actuation and control hardware, and resolving real‑world challenges related to fluid behaviour, timing, sealing and system interaction. You will contribute directly to the development of decentralised diagnostic systems aimed at improving infectious disease detection in hospitals and public health settings worldwide.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop and improve microfluidic systems and cartridge architectures for use within automated instrumentation.
- Translate biological assay requirements into practical microfluidic designs suitable for automation.
- Define and refine interfaces between cartridge and instrument, including fluidic, mechanical and thermal interactions.
- Ensure cartridge designs remain compatible with automation, sensing and actuation strategies throughout development and system integration.
- Collaborate with instrumentation, electronics and firmware engineers to ensure cartridge designs work effectively with automated actuation and control systems.
- Support integration of microfluidic cartridges into prototype systems, including hands‑on testing, troubleshooting and system‑level validation.
- Prototype and test microfluidic designs using appropriate fabrication techniques, such as soft lithography, machining and rapid prototyping.
- Design and execute experiments to evaluate cartridge performance, including yield, efficiency and repeatability.
- Identify and help resolve fluidic, mechanical and assay‑related failure modes.
- Contribute to improving robustness, manufacturability and ease of use of cartridge designs.
- Document designs, test results and iteration outcomes clearly and systematically.
- Contribute to design reviews and technical decision‑making within the microfluidics domain.
Requirements:
- BSc or BEng (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physics, Bioengineering, or related field with specialisation in microfluidics, MEMS, or lab‑on‑a‑chip systems.
- 4+ years' experience in microfluidics, lab‑on‑chip systems, or related areas (industry or applied research).
- Experience designing and developing microfluidic systems, devices or closely related technologies.
- Understanding of fluid behaviour at small scales, including areas such as mixing, flow control or multiphase systems.
- Experience working with biological or chemical assays, ideally within microfluidic or closely related systems.
- Practical experience in prototyping and testing devices or experimental systems.
- Experience designing for integration with external systems, such as actuators, pumps or thermal systems.
- Ability to design and run structured experiments to evaluate system performance.
- Experience troubleshooting and improving performance in complex systems.
- Familiarity with CAD or similar design tools.
- Strong problem‑solving skills and a practical approach to experimental work.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, biology and software.
We recognise that candidates may not meet every listed criterion. If your experience aligns with most of the requirements and you are motivated by the mission, we encourage you to apply.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Experience designing microfluidic systems for automated or semi‑automated platforms.
- Knowledge of sample preparation workflows, such as nucleic acid extraction, host depletion or amplification.
- Familiarity with bead‑based workflows, particle separation or cell lysis techniques.
- Experience working with complex biological samples, such as blood, sputum or environmental samples.
- Understanding of contamination control and sample handling in diagnostic systems.
- Experience considering manufacturability and scale‑up of microfluidic designs.
- Familiarity with cartridge‑based or disposable device design.
- Exposure to integration of microfluidics with sensors or detection systems.
- Experience working in research and development or product development environments.
Key Attributes:
- Enjoys hands‑on experimental and engineering work, including building, testing and iterating real systems.
- Comfortable working in an R&D environment where priorities can evolve.
- Approaches technical challenges thoughtfully and systematically.
- Collaborative and team‑oriented, working effectively with engineers, scientists and software developers.
- Able to translate scientific concepts into robust engineering solutions.
- Detail‑oriented and methodical in experimental design, testing and documentation.
- Able to work independently within their area of expertise while contributing to wider team goals.
- Communicates technical challenges and solutions clearly across disciplines.
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.
- You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
- You must be eligible to work in the UK with occasional travel (1‑3 trips per year).
Fluidic System Engineer - Pathogen employer: Ellison Institute of Technology
At the Ellison Institute of Technology, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of transformative science. Our vibrant work culture encourages curiosity and creativity, offering employees ample opportunities for professional growth while contributing to groundbreaking projects that have a real-world impact. Located in Oxford, our team enjoys competitive benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and private medical insurance, all within a supportive environment that values excellence and teamwork.
Contact Details:
Ellison Institute of Technology Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fluidic System Engineer - Pathogen
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Fluidic System Engineer - Pathogen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Ellison Institute of Technology that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Ellison Institute of Technology.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Ellison Institute of Technology does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Ellison Institute of Technology. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
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Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Ellison Institute of Technology. This shows your passion for the industry!
