Research Engineer

Research Engineer

Full-Time 56700 - 69300 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a team to analyse large-scale genetic data and develop innovative healthcare solutions.
  • Company: Leading TechBio firm focused on genomics and health data.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with a vibrant social culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by transforming drug discovery with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong quantitative skills, Python coding experience, and a passion for genetics.

The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.

Location: Oxford or London (Hybrid)

The Mission: Why We Exist

Genomics is a science-led transatlantic TechBio combining large-scale genetic and health data with proprietary analytics to accelerate drug discovery and advance predictive, preventative healthcare. We are united by a single vision to help people live longer healthier lives, using the power of genomics.

Genomics aims to help people live longer, healthier lives in two ways: super-charging drug discovery and development for novel treatments with our AI-enabled advanced genetic analytics platform, and by helping people understand their personal risk of common chronic diseases through polygenic risk scores - giving doctors and health systems the chance to get the right people into the right prevention, screening and treatment programmes at the right time.

Role Purpose

We're looking for an exceptional Research Engineer with strong computational skills and a track record of applying them to large-scale data science. A background in human genetics is preferred, but if you come from another quantitative field and are excited by the potential of genetics to transform healthcare, we'd love to hear from you.

You will join a team of experts in human genetics, data science and software engineering, building the platform at the heart of our Life Sciences work – (1) helping us derive new insights into human biology and guide drug development towards safer, more effective targets; (2) providing our SaaS customers with innovative analytics. How your time splits across methodology, software engineering and analysis will reflect your own balance of computational and scientific strengths.

This role can be hired at IC2 (Research Engineer) or IC3 (Senior Research Engineer) level, depending on your experience. At IC3, you'll operate with greater autonomy, hold a broader technical scope, bring deeper subject-matter expertise, and lead projects that require integrated updates across multiple tools, working with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver value.

A Day in the Life

At the heart of this role is the opportunity to collaborate with domain experts at the cutting edge of statistical genetics and rapidly translate their innovations into a mature, integrated data & analytics engine for commercial use at scale.

  • Help expand and maintain our in-house Life Sciences tools and pipelines, planning your own work and contributing code to a shared codebase alongside Research Engineering team members, Software Engineers and Data Scientists.
  • Implement algorithms developed within our Life Sciences teams to a high standard of robustness, testing and performance.
  • Run high-quality analyses of large-scale biological datasets using existing or bespoke tools, and share your findings with scientists and other stakeholders.
  • Contribute to internal and external presentations and publications arising from our work.
  • Keep your knowledge current on innovation and good practice in genomics, data science and scientific computing.

At Senior (IC3) level, you'll also lead projects that need integrated updates across multiple tools, coordinating with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver value.

Who You Are

Essential

  • A strong quantitative background in a scientific field, with the ability to explain complex ideas to specialists and non-specialists alike.
  • Skilled at writing high-quality Python code using modern software development practices.
  • Confident analysing and learning from large-scale datasets in a scientific context.
  • Experienced running tools and workflows in a scalable system, for example Linux based HPC environments or on cloud systems.
  • Comfortable using LLM programming assistants appropriately within a research software environment.

It'd be great if you also have

  • Experience working on a collaborative codebase using version control and CI/CD.
  • Familiarity with common bioinformatics and genomics tools and file formats.
  • Experience designing and running large-scale workflows, e.g. WDL, CWL.
  • Experience working in remote, cloud-based environments, e.g. AWS.
  • Experience creating and working with containers, e.g. Docker, Singularity.
  • Additional programming languages, particularly R or C++.
  • A PhD or postgraduate degree in a scientific field, ideally genomics, bioinformatics or computational biology, with familiarity in statistics and machine learning.
  • Prior experience working in a team, ideally in an industry setting.

Your Package

We are committed to providing a transparent, supportive, and rewarding work environment.

  • Compensation & Growth
    • Competitive Salary: Salaries are externally benchmarked annually to ensure competitive compensation.
    • Clear Career Path: A straightforward, open progression framework means you'll always know the path to promotion and how to achieve your next career goal.
    • Continuous Learning: Including external courses and a wide library of L&D materials, because your growth is our success.

Wellbeing & Time Off

  • Holiday: 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus an extra 3-day company-wide shutdown at year-end.
  • Financial & Health Security: Robust benefits including a market-leading pension scheme, comprehensive private health insurance for you and your family with NO excess, critical illness, and life assurance.
  • Enhanced Leave: Enhanced paid family leave to support all new parents.

Work Environment & Culture

  • Flexible Working: Hybrid Working (e.g., From our London, Oxford Office)
  • Truly Inclusive Time Off: Our 'Bank Your Bank Holiday' program allows you to exchange public holidays for dates that hold personal or cultural significance to you.
  • Vibrant Social Culture: From regular Town Halls and team picnics to organised sports events, our social committee ensures frequent opportunities to connect and celebrate.
  • Green Commute: Cycle-to-Work scheme and convenient office locations near major transport hubs.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Research Engineer employer: Genomics

At Genomics, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, clear career progression paths, and a commitment to continuous learning, our employees thrive in a supportive environment that prioritises their wellbeing. Located in vibrant cities like Oxford and London, we provide flexible working options and unique benefits such as enhanced family leave and a 'Bank Your Bank Holiday' programme, ensuring that our team members can balance their professional and personal lives effectively.

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Contact Details:

Genomics Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Engineer

Get Involved in Local Research Communities

Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!

Leverage University Alumni Networks

If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Genomics. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!

Show Off Your Projects

Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!

Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Genomics!

We think you need these skills to ace Research Engineer

Computational Skills
Data Science
Human Genetics
Python Programming
Statistical Analysis
Large-Scale Data Analysis
Linux HPC Environments

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 Genomics 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 Genomics.

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 Genomics 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 Genomics

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 Genomics. 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.

Show Your Teamwork Skills

Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Genomics's culture.

Research Recent Biotech Innovations

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 Genomics. This shows your passion for the industry!