At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to develop innovative sequencing diagnostics for infectious diseases.
- Company: Ellison Institute of Technology, a leader in transformative science and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced holiday pay, private medical insurance, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for creative problem-solving and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on health through cutting-edge scientific research.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience with molecular biology techniques.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 € 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: 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: We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every criterion below. Experience in any of the following would be beneficial:
- 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
Scientific and Technical:
- 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
Our 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).
(Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen in Oxford 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 scientific community. Our vibrant work culture encourages creativity and problem-solving, while offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth within a multidisciplinary team. Located in Oxford, you will be part of a transformative mission that not only advances cutting-edge research but also makes a tangible impact on global health challenges.
Contact Detail:
Ellison Institute of Technology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land (Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Ellison Institute of Technology. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their projects, especially the Pathogen Mission. Show them you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission to revolutionise infectious disease diagnostics.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to sequencing and diagnostics during interviews. They’ll want to see how you think on your feet and approach complex challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at EIT and contributing to their groundbreaking work.
We think you need these skills to ace (Senior) Applications Scientist - Pathogen in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your curiosity and drive align with our mission at EIT. Share specific examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your commitment to advancing scientific discovery.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Applications Scientist role. We love seeing how your background in molecular biology or genomics can contribute to our Pathogen Project. Don’t just list your duties; show us your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Remember, clarity helps us understand your qualifications better!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our team there, which can help you tailor your application even further!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology
✨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 technologies. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it 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 teamwork and communication skills. Share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others, especially in a lab setting. This will demonstrate that you value shared success and can contribute positively to the team dynamic.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready about the Pathogen Project and the team's goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their current challenges or future directions in pathogen detection, which can also give you insight into how you can contribute.
