Development Scientist

TN United Kingdom; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a motivated Development Scientist to join their Sample Technology team. This role focuses on developing cutting-edge nucleic acid sample preparation kits and enhancing biomolecular components for nanopore sequencing products. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with various stakeholders, contributing to the continuous improvement of sample preparation processes. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in biochemical properties and laboratory techniques, with a keen attention to detail and a desire to learn and grow. Join this forward-thinking organization and make a meaningful impact in the field of genomics.

Qualifications

• Experience in biochemical and biophysical assays, including RT-qPCR.
• Familiarity with chromatographic methods for DNA/RNA analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform biochemical and sequencing-based assays.
• Design and execute component stability trials.
• Routine operation of nanopore sequencing devices.

Skills

Biochemical properties of DNA/RNA

Electrophoresis

PCR

HPLC

Assay design and optimization

Education

Master's in Physical Sciences

Bachelor's in Biological Sciences

Tools

Fluorescence plate readers

Nanopore sequencing devices

Linux

Python

R

Job description

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OxfordNanopore Technologies is headquartered at the Oxford Science Park outside Oxford, UK, with satellite offices and a commercial presence in many global locations across the US, APAC, and Europe.

The company’s goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology, enabling real-time, high-performance, accessible, and scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. The technology is used in more than 100 countries to understand the biology of humans and diseases, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments.

Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing platform is the only technology that offers real-time analysis in fully scalable formats, from pocket to population-scale, and the only one that can sequence native DNA or RNA samples, with no restriction on read length.

The Role

Our Sample Technology team is responsible for the specification, development, and performance of the company’s suite of nucleic acid sample preparation kits, and the development of end-to-end sample-to-answer workflows, all intimately associated with our sequencing platforms (e.g., MinION/GridION and PromethION).

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with excellent lab-based skills to join the team as a Development Scientist. Based at the company’s Oxford headquarters, this role will support the development of new nanopore sequencing products, focusing on developing and delivering biomolecular components (Key Features) within cutting-edge sample-preparation kits designed to handle a variety of DNA and RNA sample types tailored to customer requirements.

Reporting to the Key Features team lead, the successful candidate will work across multiple projects, helping to deliver continuous improvements to the sample preparation kits, particularly in characterizing, troubleshooting, and enhancing the performance of biomolecular components.

This highly collaborative role involves interaction with various stakeholders, from the Research division (adopting and developing new ideas) to Production, where their work ultimately reaches customers. The team is multidisciplinary, comprising biological and physical scientists, bioinformaticians, and software developers.

What We're Looking For

We seek a motivated, detail-oriented candidate with experience in at least two of the following areas:

• Good understanding of biochemical properties of DNA/RNA and/or proteins.
• Familiarity with characterizing DNA, RNA, or proteins using techniques such as electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, PCR, or HPLC.
• Knowledge of chromatographic methods for analysis or purification of DNA/RNA, proteins, small molecules, or complex mixtures.
• Experience conducting biochemical and biophysical assays, including RT-qPCR and fluorescence- and plate-based techniques.
• Assay design, development, and optimization.

Additional experience in one or more of the following is a plus:

• Knowledge of Oxford Nanopore’s or other NGS sequencing platforms.
• Familiarity with Linux, Python, R, or command line programming.

Responsibilities

• Perform biochemical, biophysical, and sequencing-based assays.
• Protein/DNA complex formation and chromatography-based purification.
• Use fluorescence plate readers.
• Design and execute component stability trials.
• Routine operation of nanopore sequencing devices.

The candidate should hold a degree (preferably a master’s) in physical, chemical, or biological sciences, with good laboratory experience (possibly a year in industry during their degree). They should possess a strong attention to detail, high organizational skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. The role is ideal for a self-driven individual eager to learn and grow, with ample training and coaching provided to support their development.