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- Tasks: Design and execute assays for innovative pathogen detection workflows.
- Company: Join the Ellison Institute of Technology, tackling global challenges with cutting-edge science.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced holiday pay, private medical insurance, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health and diagnostics while collaborating with top experts.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in Biochemistry or Chemistry with hands-on assay development experience.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team fostering innovation and resilience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology; Food security and Sustainable agriculture; Clean Energy Generation and Storage; and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
A cornerstone of EIT Oxford’s mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.
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.
EIT Oxford fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.
Role
We are seeking a Scientist – DNA Extraction and Library Preparation to support research and product development within EIT Oxford’s Pathogen Programme. This is a lab-based role focused on designing, executing, and reporting on assays that measure the performance of individual components within novel, automated metagenomic pathogen detection workflows.
You will work with both standardised and clinical samples to help inform the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in humans. The role involves close collaboration with scientists and engineers in small, agile teams to deliver key project milestones.
Key Responsibilities
- Design experiments, undertake standardised chemical or enzymatic assays or develop novel methods and metrics, where necessary, for quantifying modules performance within a workflow.
- Prepare, record and present results for quantitative and qualitative assays and development
- Work in partnership with the diagnostics workflow, fluidics and instrumentation teams to ensure that appropriate methods for benchmarking are conserved and transferable between manual and automated workflows
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- PhD or equivalent experience in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field with specialisation in assay development and validation
- Hands-on experience of molecular assay development and associated data analysis
- Experience in identifying and quantifying non nucleic acid analyte contamination
- Proficiency in laboratory techniques: spectrophotometry, fluorometry, microscopy -light/fluoresce
- Experience in undertaking complex manual molecular workflows / protocols
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience in quantitative and qualitative assay development and implementation e.g. qPCR, RT-qPCR, FISH, ELISA
- Proven ability to design and execute experiments to characterise polynucleotides, enzymes and other analytes
- Understanding of, and experience with, library preparation and sequencing with Oxford Nanopore products
- Experience working with low-quality or chemically contaminated samples
- Experience in flow cytometry, FACS and/or cell sorting
Key Attributes
- Scientific and Technical Expertise
- Expertise in nucleic acid quantification from various biosamples (e.g. blood, saliva, tissue, stool, environmental samples).
- Experience in quantifying chemical contaminant carry over in complex laboratory workflows
- Familiarity with biosafety and sterile technique for working with human or high-path environmental samples
- Proficiency in molecular/microbiology techniques (e.g. spectrophotometry, fluorometry, microscopy qPCR, RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial culture).
- Track record of innovation (e.g. commercial products, patents and/or publications).
Team Working and Project Management
- Ability to manage elements of a project and collaborate with internal stakeholders.
- Experience managing or mentoring a small number of junior scientists in a team.
Soft Skills
- Strong problem-solving mindset with a hands-on, experimental approach.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to manage time, prioritise tasks, and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
We offer the following benefits:
- Enhanced holiday pay
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Hospital Cash Plan
- Therapy Services
- Perk Box
- Electrical Car Scheme
Why work for EIT
At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!
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.
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Scientist, DNA Extraction and Library Prep - Pathogen employer: Ellison Institute of Technology
Contact Detail:
Ellison Institute of Technology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientist, DNA Extraction and Library Prep - Pathogen
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Bring along a portfolio or examples of your work to interviews. This could include data analysis, assay development, or any innovative projects you've been part of. Let your skills shine!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you’re applying for roles, make sure to tailor your approach to each position. Research the company and its projects, like EIT's Pathogen Programme, and align your skills and experiences with their needs. Show them why you’re the perfect fit!
✨Follow Up
After an interview, don’t forget to follow up! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic addition to their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Scientist, DNA Extraction and Library Prep - Pathogen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Scientist role. Highlight your relevant experience in DNA extraction and library preparation, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on lab techniques you’ve mastered. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the Pathogen Programme and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm for science and innovation come through.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love collaboration at StudySmarter! In your application, share examples of how you've worked in teams to achieve project goals. Highlight any mentoring experiences too, as we value those who can uplift others in the lab.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at EIT Oxford!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute of Technology
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of molecular biology and assay development. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with techniques like qPCR, ELISA, and library preparation. The interviewers will want to see that you can apply your scientific expertise to the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex problems in the lab. Think about specific challenges you've faced in assay development or contamination issues and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your hands-on, experimental approach and your ability to think critically.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with other scientists and engineers, be ready to talk about your experience in team settings. Highlight any instances where you've successfully collaborated on projects or mentored junior scientists. This shows you value teamwork and can contribute to a collaborative environment.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining your research and technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present your findings or discuss your methods, so being able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences is key. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can bridge gaps between different teams.