Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist to join the Laboratory Automation Team within the Sequencing Operations Research and Development group. This role will lead and deliver complex automation projects while managing a subgroup of Laboratory Automation Specialists, providing technical guidance, mentoring, and supporting their professional development.

As a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist, you will play a leading role in defining and driving the vision for laboratory automation across Scientific Operations (SciOps) and the wider institute. You will manage a group of highly skilled Automation Specialists, guiding their work to deliver this strategic vision. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of automation at the Sanger Institute, delivering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and support cutting-edge science.

You will develop a thorough understanding of work being performed across Sanger to identify areas where automation can add value. You will take full ownership of designing and implementing optimal solutions, leading project delivery, and ensuring the successful deployment of novel automated workflows and technologies. You will collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the Institute, including senior management, to ensure the seamless end-to-end integration of new processes. You will build strong relationships across SciOps and faculty programs to foster innovation and grow our science. Additionally, you will engage with external collaborators to evaluate and integrate new technologies, ensuring the Institute remains at the forefront of laboratory automation.

Essential Skills:

• BSc. (or equivalent) in a biological science or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable leadership skills and strong people management skills across a diverse range of people.
• Proven track record in managing, mentoring, and developing others to support independent working and ownership.
• Extensive experience in laboratory automation and liquid handling.
• Experience in designing and writing complex methods on automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman, etc.).
• Experience of evaluating liquid handling technologies and critically assessing performance against strategic requirements.
• Ability to promote ideas and project success through oral and/or written presentations.
• Experience in writing reports on project status and critically evaluating KPIs.
• Adaptive and entrepreneurial thinking, with a track record in initiating concepts and driving them through to completion.
• Track record of delivering projects to agreed schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• Effective communicator and influencer, with the ability to develop and maintain relationships inside and outside their area of expertise.
• Experience in integrating automation into Laboratory Informatics Systems (LIMS).
• Background in automating Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and/or cell-based assays.
• Strong understanding of NGS technologies and/or cell and molecular biology techniques.

You will be an experienced manager of people and an entrepreneurial thinker with a track record in initiating concepts and project managing them through to completion, within agreed budget constraints, timescales and quality standards. You will have extensive knowledge and experience of method writing on large liquid handling platforms (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Beckman, etc.) within the context of high-throughput pipeline development. You will be agile in response to changing requirements with a focus on efficiency and continuous process improvement.

You will be able to critically evaluate liquid handling platforms and performance data to identify the optimal technology. You will have the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and influence a range of internal stakeholders at all levels. You will also be comfortable working independently and prioritising your workload, as well as managing and balancing the workloads of others to ensure team objectives are met effectively and efficiently. You will have strategic awareness and the ability to support large-scale projects in a complex, ever-changing environment.

The two divisions central to this role are Cellular Operations (CellOps) and Sequencing Operations (SeqOps). CellOps specialises in large-scale cell biology research and is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the Institute. To date, the focus has been scaling cell culture, cell line engineering, cell model derivation and differentiation, whole-genome CRISPR screening, and flow cytometry. SeqOps is responsible for generating high-quality genomic data and resources by transforming ambitious experimental concepts into robust pipelines that support the Institute’s scientific objectives.

The Laboratory Automation Team resides within the SeqOps Research and Development group, which serves as the entry point for new technologies to SciOps. The team evaluates and implements novel methods and automated workflows to optimise the efficiency, quality, and throughput of all incoming technologies, ensuring maximum benefit for researchers across the Institute.

Other Information:

• Salary range: £53,717 - £64,459
• Contract Type: Permanent

Please include a cover letter along with your CV including details on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the essential requirements of the role. Closing Date: 16th December.

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.