3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity's greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas like health, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and robotics in an era of artificial intelligence. EIT blends groundbreaking research with practical applications to deliver lasting results.
A cornerstone of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.
The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT's transformative approach, using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Oracle's cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. This initiative aims to improve diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatments by profiling antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for widespread use in labs, hospitals, and public health.
EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity's enduring challenges.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Senior Automation Specialist to support the development and scaling of advanced laboratory automation solutions within its Pathogen Program. This role will help establish automation capabilities for high-throughput workflows in genomics and phenotypic characterisation of pathogens, with flexibility to expand into other research domains.
EIT's longer-term vision is to build an AI-driven autonomous laboratory, where experimental workflows are dynamically designed, executed, and optimised through integrated robotics, sensors, informatics, and machine learning. The ideal candidate will bring experience in this emerging frontier of scientific automation.
You will play a key role in building robust automated processes, programming and integrating robotic platforms, supporting users, and contributing to the foundation of a scalable and intelligent lab environment.
Requirements
Automation Design and Implementation
* Contribute to the development of automation strategies supporting high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping workflows
* Assist in evaluating and deploying liquid handling systems, lab robotics, and scheduling software
* Build and maintain automated protocols for sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, library prep, and functional assays
System Integration and Programming
* Program and maintain robotic systems (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter) and integrate them with lab instrumentation (e.g., incubators, thermocyclers, plate readers)
* Support the setup and configuration of orchestration tools (e.g., Cellario, Green Button Go, Momentum)
* Troubleshoot process and equipment issues using a rigorous and methodical engineering approach
Collaboration and Support
* Work closely with scientists and data teams to convert manual protocols into reproducible automated workflows
* Train lab users on automated systems, support method transfers, and contribute to SOP documentation and change control processes
Biosafety and Lab Integration
* Support the implementation of automation systems within BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements
* Help optimizs equipment layouts and workflows within these controlled lab settings
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Robotics, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
* Proficiency with liquid handlers (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman Coulter) and integration of lab instruments
* Strong scripting and automation programming skills (e.g., VENUS, EVOware, Python) and familiarity with orchestration platforms
* Demonstrated ability to develop, test, and troubleshoot complex automated workflows
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Experience in pathogen genomics or phenotyping, especially within BSL-2/BSL-3 laboratories
* Familiarity with LIMS systems and data-integrated lab environments
* Understanding of molecular workflows such as DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, library preparation, and AST/MIC assays
* Experience mentoring or training scientists and technicians on automated platforms
* Experience in AI-driven lab automation, including integration of sensors, machine learning models, or closed-loop experimentation systems
Benefits
We offer the following salary and benefits:
* Salary: Competitive salary on offer
* Enhanced holiday pay
* Pension
* Life Assurance
* Income Protection
* Private Medical Insurance
* Hospital Cash Plan
* Therapy Services
* Perk Box
* Electrical Car Scheme
Why work for EIT:
At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!
Terms of Appointment:
* You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary
* You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford
* During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Science
* Industries
IT Services and IT Consulting
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford by 2x
Get notified about new Automation Specialist jobs in Oxford, England, United Kingdom.
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Reading, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Newbury, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
(Senior) Control Systems / Automation Engineer
Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Theale, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Wallingford, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Technical Manager - Industrial Automation
Banbury, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 8 months ago
Quality Assurance Engineer II - Technical
Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Associate Manager, Automation (RPA & AI)
Newbury, England, United Kingdom 17 hours ago
Trainee Coding & Programmer Placement Programme
Aylesbury, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Trainee Coding & Programmer Placement Programme
Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
I'd love to work at PQShield - Speculative Application
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 4 months ago
Reading, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Junior Embedded Software Engineer (UNB033)
Reading, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Technical Manager - Industrial Automation
Banbury, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Banbury, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Bicester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 4 months ago
Senior Robotics Software Engineer (Integration & Validation)
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Reading, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Abingdon-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Banbury, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Grove, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr