Applications Scientist - Pathogen in Oxford

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, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Welcome to the Pathogen Project: Within this ecosystem, 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 detailed orientated 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. Working collaboratively within the team, you will perform assay development experiments and assist in maintenance of the laboratory. 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.

Requirements

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• 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
• Excellent record-keeping and attention to detail
• Strong IT skills and experience using spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• 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

Key Attributes:

• 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 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).