R&D Scientist 1 in Cambridge

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realise health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world-changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

As Scientist 1 here at Illumina in Cambridge, you will join our Reagent Science division, supporting the development of innovative reagents for Illumina’s sequencing platforms. This is an ideal first role for a graduate looking to begin their scientific career in a collaborative R&D environment.

You will work alongside experienced scientists to learn and apply biochemical and biophysical techniques that characterise enzymes and inform the creation of high-performance sequencing reagents. You will be part of a supportive team environment that embodies our Win Together value while enabling you to grow your technical and analytical skills.

Why you

• You will be a recent Bachelor’s or Master’s graduate in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biophysics, Protein Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Biology or a related field.
• You will bring curiosity, good communication skills, and a willingness to learn new laboratory techniques.
• Experience with enzymology, chromatography, binding assays, or biophysical tools is helpful but not essential.
• You will thrive in a fast-paced environment by taking ownership of your work, staying organised, and contributing positively to a collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborating with scientists across disciplines to support reagent development
• Supporting experiments to characterise enzymes, reagents, and formulations
• Operating laboratory equipment including plate readers, sequencers, and liquid-handling robotics
• Analysing experimental data and identifying trends
• Documenting work accurately and presenting findings to project teams
• Managing tasks within agreed timelines
• Troubleshooting laboratory equipment and supporting experimental problem-solving

Your next opportunity to win together and help drive our mission forward starts here—apply now.

What you can expect

Our team members are bright, energetic, and dedicated - they are the driving force behind our innovation and impact. To attract the best and brightest, we offer a competitive employee benefits program. We view it as a smart investment in our people, one that recognises the tremendous value they bring to our business every day. At Illumina, we push boundaries. We think beyond the conventional. We dream big. With the energy of so many bright and accomplished people, the opportunities are endless.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritised openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, colour, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.