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, policy makers, and entrepreneurs 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 for lab to society. Explore more at
Welcome to the Pathogen Project:
Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Project exemplifies EIT's dedication to ground-breaking science. It seeks to transform pathogen risk management, detection and response by leveraging Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. The goal is to power metagenomic devices using long-read sequencing technologies by building a comprehensive database of pathogen information to inform response. Enabled by Oracle Inc.'s cloud-computing scale and security, the Pathogen Project is advancing toward certified diagnostic tools for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organisations worldwide.
Your Role:
The EIT Pathogen Programme – Applied Sequencing team is seeking an Electrical Instrumentation Engineer to help advance next-generation diagnostic technology.
In this role, you will work closely with experts in microfluidics, microbiology, and data engineering to specify, source, and assemble off-the-shelf components into functional instrumentation for a point-of-care device capable of metagenomic sequencing through a microfluidic cartridge interface.
As the first Electrical Instrumentation Engineer in the team, you will act as a subject matter expert and remain flexible to the evolving needs of the R&D programme. Your work will focus on developing control systems for pumps, valves, actuators, and sensors used to manipulate fluids at the microscale, including movement, mixing, thermal control, and data capture.
This is an opportunity to contribute to innovative healthcare technology with real-world impact.
Key Responsibilities:
* Design and engineer electrical systems for laboratory instrumentation integration and automation, from LV (240 V) mains to ELV (<50 V) control and signal systems.
* Develop power distribution and control architectures for new experimental setups, integrating instruments, sensors, and automation hardware.
* Specify and select components such as power supplies, connectors, sensors, control hardware, and safety interlocks to meet system and regulatory requirements.
* Work closely with the Applied Sequencing Applications team to turn biological and experimental needs into practical, high-performance engineering solutions.
* Develop detailed system documentation, including ECAD-based schematics, wiring diagrams, and control layouts, to support design reviews and build processes.
* Drive R&D innovation by developing and testing new methods to automate wet-bench workflows and improve experimental reproducibility.
* Communicate design progress and technical findings through structured updates and presentations to project and leadership teams.
* Ensure all systems meet relevant industry standards, safety regulations, and internal quality requirements.
Requirements
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical or Electronic Engineering.
* Strong practical understanding of LV and ELV electrical system design, including protection, earthing, and control integration.
* Proven experience designing and implementing electrical systems for instrumentation, automation, or laboratory environments.
* Familiarity with sensors, actuators, control interfaces, and integration of mixed-signal or low-voltage systems.
* Ability to work effectively across disciplines and communicate technical reasoning clearly.
* Confident using ECAD tools to design, document, and visualise assemblies and control systems.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Practical skills in wiring, assembly, or commissioning prototype systems.
* Experience managing third-party builds, writing specifications, and working with contractors or suppliers.
* Background in laboratory or medical device automation, process control, or regulated systems.
* Basic understanding of PLC or embedded control systems (integration or programming).
* Experience performing risk assessments and supporting compliance testing.
* Knowledge of fluidic and thermal subsystems, including pumps, valves, motors, and sensors.
* Comfortable working as the sole electrical engineer within a multidisciplinary team.
* Experience with collaboration tools such as Jira or Confluence.
Key Attributes:
* Team-oriented and collaborative, eager to contribute within multidisciplinary project teams.
* Excellent communicator, able to explain complex technical ideas clearly.
* Creative problem-solver who thrives in an experimental and fast-moving R&D setting.
* Detail-focused and organised, ensuring high standards across all project deliverables.
* Strong time management, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
Benefits
We offer the following benefits:
* Enhanced holiday pay
* Pension
* Life Assurance
* Income Protection
* Private Medical Insurance
* Hospital Cash Plan
* Therapy Services
* Perk Box
* Electrical 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).