Lab Automation Scientist

Lonza; Slough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Lonza, a leader in life sciences, is seeking a Lab Automation Scientist to drive lab automation systems in their biopharma R&D workflows. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience in lab automation, method scripting, and integration with digital systems, contributing significantly to scientific advancements that improve lives worldwide.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with laboratory robotics and instrumentation.
• Experience writing or editing automation scripts (VENUS, EVOware, Python, Java).
• Familiarity with assay development in a high-throughput environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automated workflows for assays.
• Program and maintain lab automation platforms, troubleshoot equipment.
• Collaborate with scientists and IT teams to implement solutions.

Skills

Lab automation

Programming

Excellent communication

Education

M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, or related field

Tools

Hamilton Star

Tecan Proficient/Evo

Biomek i series

Agilent Bravo

Job description

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

The role:

We are seeking a highly motivated Lab Automation Scientist to drive the implementation, optimisation, and support of laboratory automation systems across our biopharma R&D and development workflows. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with laboratory robotics and instrumentation, method scripting, and integration with digital systems such as Electronic Lab notebooks (ELN) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and data platforms.

The position necessitates expertise in multiple commercially accessible automation equipment, liquid handling systems, coupled with significant biotech and wet lab experience.

Please note you must be willing to travel within the UK and Europe, accounting for approximately 10% of working time!

Key responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and validate automated workflows for key assays, processes and screening campaigns mostly on liquid handlers I the field on cell culture process development and analytics.

• Program and maintain lab automation platforms in addition to troubleshooting equipment failures and coordinating with vendors for maintenance and service.

• Collaborate closely with laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, IT teams, and other stakeholders to understand their challenges and needs, and to propose or implement appropriate solutions.

• Support scale-up and tech transfer of automated workflows to operational areas or QC environments outside of R&D when needed.

• Supervise the installation, validation, and qualification of equipment to ensure performance meets standards.

• Participate in required Lonza training programs.

Key requirements:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, or related field with experience in lab automation within the biotech/pharma industry

• Demonstrated proficiency in programming and developing at least one of the following laboratory automation software/hardware and liquid handlers: Hamilton Star, Tecan Proficient/Evo, Biomek i series, Agilent Bravo

• Experience writing or editing automation scripts (e.g., VENUS, EVOware, Python- or Java-based APIs)

• Familiarity with assay development and optimisation in an R&D or high-throughput environment

• Understanding of data flow, integration, and digital lab systems (e.g., LIMS, ELN)

• Excellent communication and presentation abilities at a high level

• Capable of leading projects with cross-functional teams

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.