Scientist - Applications Team (Pathogen)

About this job

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas: • Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology • Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture • Climate Change & Managing CO₂ • Artificial Intelligence & Robotics This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Explore more at www.eit.org. Welcome to the Pathogen Project: Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Mission exemplifies EIT’s commitment to transformative science. It aims to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases by leveraging whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. This remit includes the development of a decentralised, sample-to-answer sequencing diagnostic platform for infectious diseases, enabling rapid and accurate analysis of patient samples without prior assumptions. Supported by Oracle Inc.’s cloud-computing scale and security infrastructure, the Pathogen Mission is progressing towards certified diagnostic products for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organisations worldwide. Your Role: At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detailed orientated Scientist to join the Pathogen Applications Team and support microbiology, molecular biology, sample processing and sequencing activities. This is a hands-on laboratory role supporting the receipt, processing and tracking of clinical and laboratory samples; preparation of quantified microbial cultures; qPCR and sequencing workflows. You will work closely with scientists across the Pathogen Applications Team to generate high-quality, traceable samples and data for research and development projects. We are particularly interested in candidates who have developed strong practical laboratory skills in a diagnostic, clinical, industry, high-throughput or similarly structured laboratory environment. Previous experience as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA), Associate Practitioner, laboratory technician, research technician, or in a comparable industry laboratory role would be highly relevant. This role would suit an early-career scientist with a relevant undergraduate degree and practical laboratory experience who is looking to broaden their skills across microbiology, molecular biology and sequencing technologies within a fast-paced research and development environment. Key Responsibilities • Receive, log, process and track clinical and laboratory samples, maintaining accurate sample identification and traceability. • Perform routine laboratory processing of clinical and laboratory samples using established procedures. • Perform microbiology workflows as required, including culture preparation, plating, colony counting, culture enumeration, and preparation of isolates or cultures for downstream applications. • Perform molecular biology workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, quantification and preparation of samples for downstream analysis. • Perform routine sample and assay quality control, including microbiological and molecular QC. • Perform qPCR assays and support the interpretation and documentation of routine QC results. • Support the preparation of samples and libraries for sequencing. • Assist with sequencing run set-up and routine sequencing operations following established protocols. • Maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory records, sample tracking information and experimental documentation. • Prepare reagents, media, buffers and other laboratory materials according to established procedures. • Support inventory management, including stock checks, consumable management, reagent monitoring and ordering. • Perform routine laboratory housekeeping, equipment checks, cleaning and maintenance activities. • Work in accordance with laboratory health and safety requirements, SOPs, risk assessments and HTA requirements where applicable. • Identify and escalate laboratory, sample, QC or sequencing issues to appropriate senior team members. • Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Pathogen Applications Team to support changing laboratory priorities and workflows. Requirements Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience • Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biomedical science, molecular biology, biological sciences, biotechnology or another relevant scientific discipline. • Practical laboratory experience gained through employment in a diagnostic, clinical, industry, research, high-throughput or similar laboratory environment. · Hands-on practical experience in microbiology and/or molecular biology techniques. • Hands-on experience with routine laboratory techniques, including accurate pipetting, aseptic technique and following established procedures or SOPs. • Experience processing, labelling, tracking or managing samples. • Experience performing laboratory workflows accurately, consistently and to defined quality standards. • Good understanding of laboratory quality control and the importance of sample traceability. • Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate laboratory records. • Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple samples or laboratory activities. • Good written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to work effectively as part of a laboratory team and escalate issues appropriately. • Competence with standard laboratory IT systems, spreadsheets and electronic documentation. Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience • Master’s degree in microbiology, biomedical science, molecular biology, biological sciences, biotechnology or another relevant scientific discipline. • Previous experience working as a Medical Laboratory Assistant, Associate Practitioner, laboratory technician, research technician, or in a comparable diagnostic, clinical or industry laboratory role. • Experience processing clinical specimens or other complex biological samples. • Experience with microbiology workflows, including bacterial culture, colony isolation, culture enumeration and preparation of microbial cultures. • Experience with molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, quantification and PCR or qPCR. • Experience preparing samples for downstream molecular analysis, library preparation or sequencing. • Exposure to next-generation sequencing workflows or sequencing technologies. • Experience working in a regulated, accredited, diagnostic, quality-controlled or high-throughput laboratory environment. • Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or other electronic sample tracking systems. • Experience working with human-derived samples and an understanding of associated sample handling and traceability requirements. • Experience preparing microbiological media, reagents, buffers and laboratory consumables. Previous sequencing experience is advantageous but not essential. Training in sequencing-specific workflows will be provided. Key Attributes • Practical and comfortable working at the bench. • Meticulous, with strong attention to detail. • Organised and reliable, particularly when handling and tracking multiple samples. • Able to follow established procedures accurately and consistently. • Comfortable working across microbiology and molecular laboratory workflows. • Willing to learn and develop skills across microbiology, molecular biology and sequencing. • Team-oriented and collaborative. • Able to work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment where priorities may change. • Proactive in identifying problems and seeking guidance when appropriate. • Positive and willing to contribute to the wider operation of the laboratory. Benefits Our Benefits: • Salary: £Competitive + travel allowance + bonus • Enhanced holiday pay • Pension • Life Assurance • Income Protection • Private Medical Insurance • Hospital Cash Plan • Therapy Services • Perk Box • Electric Car Scheme Working Together – What It Involves: • You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. • You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate). • This is an fully onsite role in Oxford.