Lead Scientist, Automated NGS Diagnostic Platforms

BioTalent; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Sponsorship for exceptional candidates

Job summary

BioTalent in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Scientist to drive automated sequencing diagnostics for an infectious disease platform. The role blends molecular biology, engineering, chemistry and automation to translate lab workflows into integrated automated systems from concept to prototype.

You will lead DoE-driven optimisation, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and help shape a novel sample-to-answer platform with a focus on robustness and scalability.

Qualifications

• PhD required or equivalent industry experience in molecular biology/biotech.
• Experience developing molecular biology workflows in translational R&D or industrial settings.
• Proven track record automating molecular biology workflows.
• Experience integrating workflows into diagnostic or analytical platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise workflows for nucleic acid extraction, purification, library preparation and sample processing.
• Translate manual molecular biology workflows into automated processes for diagnostic platforms.
• Apply DoE and quantitative approaches to optimise system performance.
• Identify bottlenecks and variability across integrated workflows.
• Improve assay robustness, reproducibility and scalability.
• Generate data-driven insights to inform platform design (fluidics, automation, reagents).
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers across disciplines.
• Provide technical leadership and support prototype development.

Skills

Molecular biology workflows

Automation & DoE

NGS & sequencing

Data analysis

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Automation platforms

Fluidics systems

Cartridge-based systems

Job description

BioTalent in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Scientist to drive automated sequencing diagnostics for an infectious disease platform. The role blends molecular biology, engineering, chemistry and automation to translate lab workflows into integrated automated systems from concept to prototype.

You will lead DoE-driven optimisation, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and help shape a novel sample-to-answer platform with a focus on robustness and scalability.