Lead Genomic Lab Automation Engineer

Wellcome Sanger Institute; New Alresford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Campus wellbeing program

Job summary

Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist to lead automated workflows and bring scalable solutions to genomics research. You will work across multi-functional teams, evaluate technologies, and ensure robust, compliant implementations in a cutting-edge lab.

The role requires hands-on automation expertise, project leadership, and strong collaboration with scientists, software developers, and partners, including LIMS integrations and SOP documentation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in laboratory automation and automated liquid handling.
• Experience developing, validating and implementing complex automated or high-throughput workflows.
• Ability to evaluate automation technologies using performance data and scientific requirements.
• Experience integrating automation with LIMS and producing SOPs and risk assessments.
• Strong project delivery, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Biological science knowledge gained through study or practical experience.
• Experience in automating cell-based assays and/or molecular techniques.
• Background in cellular biology and cell culture.
• Experience with NGS, long-read sequencing and sample preparation.
• Proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept through validation and implementation.
• Design methods for automated liquid handling platforms.
• Evaluate technologies to meet scientific and operational needs.
• Collaborate with scientists, software developers and external partners; integrate with LIMS.
• Embed automated processes into Scientific Platforms and drive improvements.
• Mentor colleagues and foster a culture of innovation.

Skills

Laboratory automation

Project delivery

Communication skills

LIMS integration

SOP creation

Cell biology background

Cell culture

NGS

Long-read sequencing

Automation of assays

External collaboration

Tools

Hamilton

Agilent Bravo

Tecan

Beckman

LIMS

Job description

Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking a Senior Laboratory Automation Specialist to lead automated workflows and bring scalable solutions to genomics research. You will work across multi-functional teams, evaluate technologies, and ensure robust, compliant implementations in a cutting-edge lab.

The role requires hands-on automation expertise, project leadership, and strong collaboration with scientists, software developers, and partners, including LIMS integrations and SOP documentation.