Laboratory Technician

Basecamp Research; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Equity

Salary sacrifice pension

Bike to work

Life insurance

Carrot Fertility

Job summary

Basecamp Research in London is seeking a hands-on Lab Technician to join our Frontier Biology team. You will operate DNA extraction, normalization and library prep workflows across environmental samples, ensuring precise pipetting and strict data records.

You'll work with automated liquid handling systems, manage LIMS data, and contribute to QC and R&D protocol testing in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with global partners.

Qualifications

• Hands-on lab experience in molecular biology or life sciences.
• DNA extraction from environmental or biological samples using kit-based and automated methods.
• High-throughput work with precise pipetting and detailed record-keeping.
• Experience using LIMS or electronic lab notebooks for sample tracking.
• Ability to follow SOPs, identify deviations, and escalate appropriately.
• Experience operating automated liquid handling platforms is advantageous.
• Familiarity with NGS library prep workflows and sample prep steps.

Responsibilities

• Run daily DNA extraction, normalization and library prep across environmental samples.
• Operate and maintain laboratory automation; troubleshoot instruments.
• Maintain records in LIMS with full traceability.
• Perform QC checks and flag anomalies; contribute to investigations.
• Support R&D protocol testing and continuous improvement.

Skills

Molecular biology

DNA extraction

Precise pipetting

LIMS

SOP adherence

Automated liquid handling platforms

NGS library prep knowledge

Environmental/metagenomic samples

CL2 containment experience

Curiosity about sequencing tech

Tools

Hamilton automation

Tecan automation

Bravo automation

Job description

About Us

Basecamp Research is dedicated to solving major challenges in the life sciences by exploring Beyond Known Biology. Our teams build frontier AI models using BaseData, the world's largest ethically-sourced and globally representative biological dataset. Our Global Research Team collects and curates our own biological data through partnerships with more than 152 organisations in 28 countries, giving its AI access to genetic diversity that doesn't exist for models trained on public database sources. This enables Basecamp Research to design novel protein sequences and biological systems that can accelerate therapeutic research and development.

In October 2024 we closed Series B and in January 2026 finalised pre-Series C investment from NVIDIA. With hubs both in London, UK as well as Boston, Massachusetts, USA and partners with biopharma companies and academic institutions worldwide, our work has been recognised with honours including Fast Company's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Biotech and the FT-backed Sifted AI100 list of Europe's leading AI startups.

At Basecamp Research, we pride ourselves on being a diverse, exciting, fun, and flexible place to work. Our team of biologists, engineers, ML scientists, field explorers, and operations specialists are united by a sense of adventure and the belief that nature has already designed the solutions to our planet's greatest challenges - we just need to go out and discover them! If you feel passionate about the power of biology, data, and AI to build a better world, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

The hands of the Trillion Gene Atlas. You will keep samples moving through our extraction, normalisation, and library preparation pipeline - precisely, reliably, and at pace.

• Run the daily sample processing pipeline. Execute DNA extraction, normalisation, and library preparation workflows across soil, faecal, and other environmental sample types - following validated SOPs with precision and consistency at high throughput.

• Operate and maintain laboratory automation.Work with automated liquid handling systems (including Myra9) and other platforms to process samples at batch scale. Perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot instrument issues, and flag deviations from expected performance.

• Maintain accurate records in LIMS. Log all sample processing steps, QC data, and observations in Benchling LIMS in real time. Ensure full traceability of every sample from receipt through to sequencing dispatch.

• Perform QC checks and flag anomalies. Carry out quantification, quality checks, and standard analytical assays at key pipeline stages. Identify out-of-specification results, elevate appropriately, and contribute to root cause investigations.

• Support R&D protocol testing. Assist the R&D team with comparative experiments, kit testing, and protocol optimisation runs as new methods are validated for production. A practical, hands‑on contributor to continuous improvement.

• Maintain a safe, organised lab environment. Uphold high standards of lab hygiene, reagent management, and safety compliance including CL2 working practices. Help keep the lab stocked, organised, and ready to run at scale.

Required Skills and Experience

• Hands-on laboratory experience in a molecular biology or life sciences setting - academic, commercial, or both

• Practical experience with DNA extraction from biological or environmental samples using kit-based and automated methods

• Comfortable working at high throughput with strong attention to detail - precise pipetting, consistent technique, reliable record-keeping

• Experience using LIMS or equivalent electronic lab notebook for sample tracking and data recording

• Ability to follow SOPs accurately, identify deviations, and elevate clearly and promptly

Advantageous Skills and Experience

• Experience operating automated liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Tecan, Bravo, or similar)

• Familiarity with NGS library preparation workflows - even a basic awareness of steps from DNA input to sequencing‑ready library

• Experience with environmental or metagenomic sample types - soils, sediments, faecal, or other challenging matrices

• CL2 lab certification or prior experience working with GMOs in a contained environment

• A curiosity about sequencing technology and genuine interest in learning and growing within a fast‑moving team

What we offer in return

Impactful Mission: This is a rare chance to do work that genuinely matters. You'll join a talented, fast-moving team, access unique biological datasets at scale, and see your contributions shape real breakthroughs in AI and curative therapeutics.

Collaborative Culture: You'll be surrounded by world‑class engineers, scientists, and researchers who care deeply about their work and about each other. With offices in London and Boston, we've built a flexible, cross‑functional environment where personal development and real ownership aren't just talking points.

High Growth: We truly believe in investing in our people. We make coaching available to team members during steep growth journeys and we have twice‑yearly promotion opportunities. People who are really successful here own it and go directly to solve problems at pace, and we ensure reward increases with impact.

Comprehensive Benefits: We've built a benefits package people value. That means competitive salary, equity, and private healthcare with no medical history exclusions - so strong that most employees' family members opt into our plan over their own. We also offer Carrot Fertility with IVF stipend, salary sacrifice pension, bike‑to‑work scheme, life insurance and more.

We are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of ethnic or national origin, race, religion, sex, age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other basis. If you have a disability or additional need that needs accommodating do let us know.