At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive lab automation to revolutionise drug discovery and create impactful therapies.
- Company: Join Relation, a pioneering TechBio company at the forefront of medicine.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with diverse teams and exciting career prospects.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that transforms science and improves patient lives.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or life sciences; hands-on lab automation experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Relation is a sector defining TechBio company developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single-cell multi-omics from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure. We are scaling rapidly and building a team of exceptional individuals to push the boundaries of drug discovery.
You will work in highly interdisciplinary teams where biology, computation, and engineering come together to solve complex problems that have not been solved before. Our state-of-the-art wet and dry labs in the heart of London are designed to accelerate this integration and translate insight into impact. We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams.
Relation is offering an outstanding opportunity for a Lab Automation Engineer to put automation at the heart of how we do science. We are growing our automated experimental capabilities to generate proprietary, large-scale multimodal datasets that power our machine learning models of cellular behaviour. You will be joining as we grow our lab automation capabilities over a number of robotic workcells in central London. Working closely with external vendors, you will be a central driver in building and deploying new automation platforms and transitioning them into productive data generators. Collaborating deeply with both scientific and software teams, you will be a key integrator between our Discovery and Technology organisations.
Day to day you will:
- Partner with scientific teams to translate assays into robust, high-throughput, automated workflows.
- Generate and maintain code for instrument control, workflow parameterisation, and data and metadata handoffs.
- Work with orchestration and scheduling software layers to define, configure and test end-to-end automated workflows, including device integrations and automated data steps.
- Generate multi-device automation protocols and configure tip-based liquid handlers.
- Support development of automated QC, controls and error-handling approaches that protect assay windows and reproducibility.
- Troubleshoot automation hardware and software issues.
- Develop novel and creative approaches to automation challenges.
Professionally, you will have:
- A degree in engineering, automation, life sciences, computer science or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience; a strong track record of hands‑on laboratory automation in a biotech, pharma or CRO setting.
- Substantial practical experience working with robotically integrated automation systems, including building and integrating workflows across multiple instruments, plus experience with tip‑based liquid handlers.
- Comfortable with generating and maintaining code in support of instrument control and data capture.
- Experience in collaborating with scientific teams for translating assays onto automation platforms.
- Experience with scheduling and orchestration software for automated workflows plus familiarity of integrating these with broader informatics systems.
- Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills, and a genuinely hands‑on mindset.
- Experience in automated cell biology; high‑content imaging and cell painting would be a bonus.
Personally, you:
- Are comfortable working in a matrixed environment, balancing multiple stakeholders and contributing effectively across teams.
- Take ownership of your work, proactively seek opportunities to contribute, and enable others to do their best work.
- Communicate openly and directly, give and receive feedback constructively, and handle challenging conversations with respect.
- Actively seek out diverse perspectives, build strong working relationships, and contribute to shared goals across teams.
- Embrace challenges with openness and resilience, set high standards for yourself, and strive to deliver meaningful outcomes.
At Relation, we operate in a matrixed, interdisciplinary environment, where impact is driven through collaboration across scientific, technical, and operational domains. We collaborate, and you will partner with colleagues across multiple teams and projects, contributing your expertise while aligning to shared company priorities. We work together and win together!
Senior Lab Automation Engineer employer: Relation Therapeutics
Relation Therapeutics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and impactful results, employees are encouraged to grow through continuous learning and development opportunities. Located in a vibrant area, the company fosters a culture that values teamwork and communication, making it an ideal place for those passionate about advancing drug discovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lab Automation 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 Relation Therapeutics. 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 Relation Therapeutics!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lab Automation Engineer
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 Relation Therapeutics 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 Relation Therapeutics.
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 Relation Therapeutics 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 Relation Therapeutics
✨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 Relation Therapeutics. 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 Relation Therapeutics'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 Relation Therapeutics. This shows your passion for the industry!
