Automation Scientist

Arctoris; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology-enabled drug discovery company in the UK is seeking an experienced Automation Scientist to design and deliver research projects. The role entails performing in vitro experiments, maintaining cell cultures, and developing assays while collaborating within a passionate team. Candidates should have a PhD in cell biology or related fields, with at least 2 years of relevant experience. The company offers a highly competitive rewards package, including a minimum of 28 days annual leave, flexible working, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Highly competitive reward package

Pension scheme

Health and well-being support

Generous company sick pay

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Ideally educated to PhD level in cell biology or related fields.
• 2 years of postdoctoral or industrial drug discovery experience.
• Proven ability to disseminate research results.
• Broad understanding of the drug discovery process.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage, and deliver internal and client research projects.
• Perform in vitro experiments and assays to high standards.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures across various fields.
• Develop and optimize cell-based assays using automation.

Skills

Cell Biology

Assay Development

Data Analysis

Mammalian Cell Culture

Molecular Biology

Python Programming

C# Programming

Education

PhD in Cell Biology or related fields

Equivalent experience in scientific R&D

Tools

Hamilton-Vantage liquid handler

Instinct V software

High-throughput screening systems

Job description

Company / Role Overview

Arctoris is seeking to recruit an experienced Automation Scientist. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in all aspects of both our client-focused work and collaborative discovery in Cell Biology and across other automation projects.

Main Responsibilities

• Design plan manage and deliver internal and client research projects
• Perform in vitro experiments and assays to an exceptional standard
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures across a variety of scientific fields and disease settings (e.g. cancer neuroscience cardiovascular)
• Develop and optimise cell based assays utilising the automation platform
• Data analysis interpretation and presentation (including written reports and presentations) of experiment results
• Keeping thorough documentation of work that has been carried out
• Following standard operating procedures where required and establishing new SOPs when required
• Providing feasibility assessments of projects in advance to aid the sales team
• Act as subject matter expert and communicate effectively with clients in scientific meetings
• Keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical development
• Work well within a team to optimise processes teach others and learn
• Contribute ideas to technology development strategies and maintain a culture of continual improvement

Qualifications and Experience

• Ideally educated to PhD level in cell biology or related fields; equivalent experience in scientific R&D
• 2 years of postdoctoral or industrial drug discovery experience

Experience of independent self-directed work

• Proven ability to disseminate research results e.g. in reports presentations and peer reviewed journal publications
• Assay development expertise for target ID / validation and / or drug screening with a good understanding of assay statistics (e.g. Robust Z %CV).
• Broad understanding of the drug discovery process
• Experience handling large datasets including data QC and analysis
• Experience of working in an industrial setting

Broad-based experience in cell biology ideally including :

• Mammalian cell culture and complex cell models (such as 3D cell models iPSC or other primary cell systems or co-cultures) including development / optimization of culturing conditions.
• Implementing performing and troubleshooting a broad range of cell based assays (for example : flow cytometry imaging microscopy or plate-based assays (such as NanoBRET HiBiT ELISA Luciferase HTRF and AlphaLISA).
• Practical experience with one or more gene engineering and gene modulation technologies (e.g. CRISPR or RNAi mediated gene modulation) for cell line engineering / development or genetic perturbation studies.
• Expertise in a wide range of other common cellular and molecular techniques including qRT-PCR transfection SDS-PAGE Western Blotting

In addition (desired but not required) :

• Expertise in neurodegenerative diseases immunology oncology and / or immuno-oncology together with demonstrated experience in complementary advanced techniques including primary cell cultures and 3D cell models
• Proficiency in any advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques (e.g. multiparameter flow cytometry or high throughput / high content imaging and the associated analysis.
• Experience and knowledge of research processes and activities and requirements to comply with Human Tissue Act
• Experience in the use programming and troubleshooting of robotic liquid handlers.

Experience in executing assays using an automated platform

• Experience in programming the Hamilton-Vantage liquid handler using the Instinct V software.
• Experience in programming robotic arms and integrating equipment onto automation platforms.
• Experience in automating complex scientific processes (ideally cell-based assays) including troubleshooting and method validation..
• Basic programming skills ideally in either Python or C# (not crucial which language - but ability to learn new is very good).
• Experience in setting up and / or running high throughput screening (HTS) assays

Why join us

Culture

Dedicated passionate and agile team who are constantly innovating andlearning

Flexible and collaborative work culture with extensive development and progression opportunities

Inclusion diversity and belonging is core to our success. We embrace everything unique and continue to be proud of our diverse rich culture. When you are at your best we are at our best

Benefits

Highly competitive reward package

Pension scheme Life and illness insurance cover and other benefits including salary sacrifice schemes such as Tusker cars Nursery cover gym membership and bike to work

Generous company sick pay scheme and enhanced family-friendly policies

Health and well-being support

A minimum of 28 days annual leave together with generous flexible and remote working opportunities to ensure you have a great work / life balance

Regular team events fresh fruit and snacks and lots of opportunities to socialise and build great relationships

About us

Arctoris is a technology-enabled drug discovery services company headquartered in Oxford. We combine automated wet lab experimentation proprietary analytical pipelines and deep scientific expertise to accelerate the design and optimisation of new therapeutics. Our proprietary Ulysses automation platform and data infrastructure enable the generation of reproducible high-quality datasets at scale forming the foundation for AI-driven discovery capabilities across oncology immunology and neurodegeneration.

We operate at the intersection of biology robotics and data science building systems that transform how scientists generate and interpret experimental data. Joining Arctoris means contributing to a multidisciplinary environment where innovation in data architecture analytical tooling and computational pipelines directly advances the creation of life-changing medicines.

Key Skills

• Laboratory Experience
• Immunoassays
• Machine Learning
• Biochemistry
• Assays
• Research Experience
• Spectroscopy
• Research & Development
• cGMP
• Cell Culture
• Molecular Biology
• Data Analysis Skills

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1